A Shearwater is a gull-like bird that spends its days soaring over open water looking for the catch of the day. The bird is on land only to incubate eggs for a short time. Start your search for the Shearwater near a large body of warm water that has a good fish supply.
Instructions
Identifying the Shearwater
1. Observe the Shearwater in oceans or near the shore. The bird prefers warmer weather and open waters.
2. Watch for the large wingspan the Shearwater. The gull-like bird is a glider who spends more time with its wings still than flapping them.
3. Find several species of Shearwaters throughout the world, but their similar gray/black and white appearance distinguishes them from other gull-type birds.
4. See the birds swooping down to the water to catch fish. The Shearwater's diet consists of mostly fish they catch on the surface. Occasionally, they dive down into the water using their wings to propel them towards their prey.
5. View Shearwaters on shore only to rest and breed. While they spend most of their time at sea, the birds do make burrows in rock crevices, caves or tree roots where they incubate their eggs.
Distinguishing Types of Shearwater Birds
6. Look for the Buller's Shearwater off the Pacific Coast. It is the only Shearwater, besides the Pink-footed Shearwater, to be found there. It has a white underside and dark grey topside. Its head is white on the lower part and gray on the upper half. The Buller Shearwater also glides more than others.
7. View the biggest Shearwater bird, the Pink-footed Shearwater. Discover it off the Pacific Coast. The Pink-footed bird has a dark head and upper body. Its pink bill and feet easily distinguish it.
8. Observe the difference between the Pink-footed Shearwater and the Flesh-footed Shearwater. The later has more silver wings visible when it is in flight. This bird also has flesh-colored feet and bill.
9. Capture an image of the Sooty Shearwater and the Short-tailed Shearwater. The 2 are very similar with silver underwings and dark bodies. The Short-tailed bird has a smaller bill and rounder head. It also has wings that are more angled and narrower.
Related posts
With the vast number of classes of birds throughout the world it may seem to be a difficult task to identify a particular breed of bird. But if you know what identifying traits to look for it need...
Who is that little bird spiraling up the tree trunk outside? It might just be a songbird called the brown creeper, who creeps up trees in a circular fashion like a woodpecker, foraging for insects...
Birding is a popular hobby, both for the occasional and regular bird watcher. Many bird enthusiasts soon become experts at wild bird identification through color, size and song. However, there are...
It is illegal to disturb resident birds by moving their nests.Birding, also known as birdwatching, is a recreational activity that involves the observation and identification of common and rare bi...
American robinThe American Robin is the state bird of Connecticut and has been ever since the Connecticut General Assembly declared it to be so in 1943. The robin was named by the early New Englan...
