ExploreBird

Sooty Shearwater

Ardenna grisea

The Sooty Shearwater is a dark-colored seabird that loves to soar over the waves. It's an amazing flyer!

Habitat: Open oceans and coastal areas

Appearance

The Sooty Shearwater is a medium-large seabird with entirely dark, sooty-brown plumage. It has long, narrow wings that show a striking silvery-white flash underneath when gliding over the ocean.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderProcellariiformesFamilyProcellariidaeGenusPuffinus

Sooty Shearwater

Interesting facts

Sooty Shearwater chicks can weigh more than their parents before fledging!

Sooty Shearwaters drink salty seawater and have special glands to remove salt!

These birds dig deep burrows for nests, sometimes 3 meters long!

They fly an amazing 64,000 km journey each year, pole to pole!

Special abilities

Sooty Shearwater can travel incredible distances annually, fueled by efficient flight and seeking food across hemispheres.

Sooty Shearwater can dive over 60 meters deep to catch prey, helped by its streamlined body and pursuit hunting method.

Sooty Shearwater can find its specific burrow in huge, crowded colonies using its amazing sense of smell.

Sooty Shearwater has long, stiff wings that help them glide effortlessly over ocean waves, saving vital energy.

Measurements & details

Length: 40-46 cm
Wingspan: 95-110 cm
Weight: 0.7-0.9 kg
Lifespan: 15-30 years
Top Speed: 80 km/h
Clutch Size: 1
Incubation: 50-57 days
Migration Distance: 64000 km

Diet & Feeding

Sooty Shearwaters are expert hunters, mainly eating small fish and squid from the ocean depths.

Primary Foods

Anchovies
Sardines
Squid
Krill

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

eaten by

Orca

Orcinus orca

Orcas prey on shearwaters at sea during migration.

eaten by

Great Skua

Catharacta skua

Skuas snatch chicks and eggs from their nests.

hunts

European Anchovy

Engraulis encrasicolus

Shearwaters dive for these small, schooling fish.

hunts

Arrow Squid

Nototodarus sloanii

They hunt arrow squid by pursuing them underwater.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Piscivorous

Discover amazing animals that love to eat fish! They're like expert underwater hunters, always on the lookout for a tasty meal from the rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.

Migratory

Follow incredible journeys across the world! These animals travel far and wide at different times of the year, often to find better food or warmer places.