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- Calonectris diomedea
Identification
Length 45-52 cm (17¾-20½ in), wingspan 112-122 cm, weight 560-730 g.
Light brown upper parts, white below, yellow bill with dark subterminal band, broad wings held bowed, heavy build, leisurely flight style with fewer wingbeats than other shearwaters.
Similar Species
Scopoli's Shearwater relative to Cory's Shearwater shows a little less black in the hand of the underwing due to white inner webs on the primaries, has slightly smaller bill which is a little paler, and is overall slightly paler; the lesser overall size is not noticeable in the field. The average difference between these two forms is difficult to use because of much individual variation. Cory's Shearwater gives a three-note call while this species has a two-note call. More identification discussion in references [5] and [6].
Cape Verde Shearwater is very similar, but slightly smaller and with a slenderer bill and relatively longer tail.
Great Shearwater is about the same size with darker wings and body, smaller bill is black, narrow straight wings, capped appearance, smudgy brown on belly (sometimes faint), and white collar.
Manx Shearwater is much smaller with blacker upperparts, and pure white belly and undertail coverts.
Balearic Shearwater is much smaller with browner underparts.
Distribution
Breeds Mediterranean islands, outside breeding season moving to winter mainly in upwelling systems of tropical eastern Atlantic
Taxonomy
Scopoli's Shearwater was formerly included in Cory's Shearwater.
Subspecies
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Breeds on rocky islands, steep cliffs and caves and spends the rest of its life at sea.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes molluscs and fish.
Breeding
Colonial breeders and ground nesters; 1 egg is laid.
Vocalisation
Calls frequently in or near colonies, giving a two-note call.
References
- Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, M. Smith, and C. L. Wood. 2024. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2024. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v 14.2). Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.14.2. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
- BirdLife International
- Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
- Identification essay about Cory's and Scopoli's Shearwater
- Identification essay about separating Cory's from Scopoli's shearwater
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Scopoli's Shearwater. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 8 February 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Scopoli%27s_Shearwater
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1