Sooty Shearwater

100

12 hours ago

Spotted

A common and widespread dark shearwater, known for its epic annual migration that covers tens of thousands of kilometers across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It appears entirely dark at a distance.

Where to spot

Breeds on islands in the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, Chile, Falkland Islands, Australia). Migrates extensively to the North Pacific, North Atlantic, and other oceans during the austral winter.

How to spot

Look for its entirely dark, sooty-brown plumage (paler underwing panels visible in good light) and typical shearwater flight: long glides interspersed with rapid wingbeats low over the waves.

When to spot

Can be observed globally during its extensive migration, especially in the North Atlantic and Pacific during boreal summer and autumn. Breeding is in the austral summer.

Where to spot

Breeds on islands in the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, Chile, Falkland Islands, Australia). Migrates extensively to the North Pacific, North Atlantic, and other oceans during the austral winter.

How to spot

Look for its entirely dark, sooty-brown plumage (paler underwing panels visible in good light) and typical shearwater flight: long glides interspersed with rapid wingbeats low over the waves.

When to spot

Can be observed globally during its extensive migration, especially in the North Atlantic and Pacific during boreal summer and autumn. Breeding is in the austral summer.

Credits: By "Mike" Michael L. Baird, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3893785

Sooty Shearwaters undertake the longest known animal migration, traveling up to 64,000 kilometers (40,000 miles) in a figure-eight pattern across the Pacific each year, an incredible feat of endurance.

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