Fulmars, Shearwaters

Great Shearwater, Puffinus gravis

Family Procellariidae (Fulmars, Shearwaters)

Size: 18"

Season: Spring–fall

Habitat: Open ocean

The great shearwater is a large, strong shearwater with long, pointed wings and a relatively narrow, tube-nosed bill. Its plumage is dark brown across most of the upper side, with a black tail and a thin, curved white band at the uppertail coverts. The underside is mostly white with a brownish belly patch, dark underwing margins, and dark lines along the inner wing coverts. The head has a crisp, dark cap bordered by a nearly complete white collar. Great shearwaters fly with stiff wings, making high, arcing turns, and feed by diving from the air or from the water’s surface. After breeding during our winter in south Atlantic islands, they disperse north, often forming large noisy groups at sea and following ships. The adult is illustrated.