Galapagos Shearwater
A species of Typical Shearwaters Scientific name : Puffinus subalaris Genus : Typical Shearwaters
Galapagos Shearwater, A species of Typical Shearwaters
Botanical name: Puffinus subalaris
Genus: Typical Shearwaters
Content
Description General Info
Description
The Galápagos shearwater has dark brown upperparts, undertail and underwing flight feathers, the rest of the underparts plumage being white. It sometimes has a dark collar. Both sexes are alike, as are the young after fledging. It is a slender-bodied shearwater, about 29–31 cm long, with a wingspan of around 63 cm and weighs 123-225 g. The species closely resembles the tropical shearwater, although the latter is typically blacker and has a longer tail.
Size
28 - 31 cm
Life Expectancy
19 years
Feeding Habits
Galapagos Shearwater primarily consume fish, squid, and crustaceans, foraging by skimming the ocean surface or diving. They exhibit unique adaptations for locating prey in open water, with feeding typically occurring at dawn or dusk.
Habitat
Galapagos Shearwater typically inhabit marine environments, favoring offshore and pelagic waters. They are often found near land, particularly around their breeding colonies on oceanic islands and rocky offshore islets. Galapagos Shearwater select nesting sites on cliffs and earthy slopes characterized by sparse herbaceous vegetation. Their habitat preference extends across broad marine regions rather than specific terrestrial locales.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Behavior
The Galápagos shearwater is a gregarious species and will feed at sea with other shearwaters and boobies. It flies low over the water and feeds on squid, fish and offal. It intersperses 4-10 stiff wing beats with shallow glides.
Species Status
Not globally threatened.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Albatrosses and Petrels Family
Shearwaters and petrels Genus
Typical Shearwaters Species
Galapagos Shearwater