Day 8: Seabird profiles

 

Up on Monkey Island, the highest deck on board RV Investigator, you will find the bird watchers constantly scanning the horizon. One of the most prolific species documented on this trip has been the shearwater. The shearwater is the from the family of petrels. All shearwaters are migratory.

Shearwater species catalogued.

Streaked (Calonectris leucomelas)

The streaked shearwater averages 48 cm in length, with a 122 cm wingspan.

White underparts, brown upperparts, and a streaked mottled brownish-white head.

Wedge Tailed (Ardenna pacifica)

The wedge-tailed shearwater is one of the shearwater species that is sometimes referred to as a muttonbird. The species’ common name is derived from the large wedge-shaped tail, which may help the species glide. The bill is dark, and legs are flesh coloured, with the legs set far back on the body.

Flesh Footed (Ardenna Carneipes)

The flesh-footed shearwater is a medium-sized shearwater. Its plumage is black. It has pale pinkish feet, and a pale bill with a distinct black tip.