(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)

Audubon's Shearwater - Puffinus lherminieri

Identification Tips:

  1. Length: 11 inches Wingspan: 26 inches
  2. Sexes similar
  3. Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
  4. Medium-size shearwater
  5. Brown upperparts
  6. White underparts
  7. Dark undertail coverts
  8. Long tail
  9. Underwings white with dark border
  10. Rapid wingbeats

Similar species:

Manx Shearwater has white undertail coverts and a shorter tail. Greater Shearwater is larger with a white rump and dark belly. Immature gulls are superficially similar but can be separated at great distances by their different flight styles. Shearwaters fly closer to the surface of the water, often disappearing behind swells, alternating flaps with long glides on downcurved wings.