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Scopoli's Shearwater - BirdForum Opus


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Photo © by stu78
Kos, Greece, June 2009
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

  1. 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/
  2. 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/
  3. BirdLife International
  4. Collins Bird Guide ISBN 0 00 219728 6
  5. Identification essay about Cory's and Scopoli's Shearwater
  6. Identification essay about separating Cory's from Scopoli's shearwater

Recommended Citation

External Links

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