Sooty Shearwater
ExploreBirds
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
Category
BirdsRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
1
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
Ability
Migration Master
Sooty Shearwater can travel incredible distances annually, fueled by efficient flight and seeking food across hemispheres.
Ability
Deep Diver
Sooty Shearwater can dive over 60 meters deep to catch prey, helped by its streamlined body and pursuit hunting method.
Ability
Odor Navigator
Sooty Shearwater can find its specific burrow in huge, crowded colonies using its amazing sense of smell.
Ability
Ocean Glider
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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Migratory
Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability.
Also known as
MuttonbirdSooty Albatross
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Sooty Shearwater?
40-46 cm
What is Sooty Shearwater's wingspan?
95-110 cm
How much does Sooty Shearwater weigh?
0.7-0.9 kg
How long does Sooty Shearwater live?
15-30 years
How fast can Sooty Shearwater move?
80 km/h
What does Sooty Shearwater eat?
Sooty Shearwaters are expert hunters, mainly eating small fish and squid from the ocean depths.
Where is Sooty Shearwater usually found?
Open oceans and coastal areas
How does Sooty Shearwater hunt?
Pursuit
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