Great Shearwater

Puffinus gravis

Great Shearwater

Quick Facts

Classification

Scientific name:

Puffinus gravis

Family:

Petrels and shearwaters

Conservation status:

Green

Measurements

Length:

43cm to 51cm

Wingspan:

100cm to 118cm

Weight:

715g to 950g

Other birds in the Petrels and shearwaters family

About the Great Shearwater

The great shearwater is a large bird and is comparable to the size of a fulmar.

They have a distinctive grey cap, greyish-brown upperparts paired with light underparts. Under the wings, you'll see dark edges.

What does a Great Shearwater eat?

Their diets mainly consist of squid and fish.

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Other birds in the Petrels and shearwaters family

Storm Petrel

Sooty Shearwater

Manx Shearwater

Leach's Petrel

Fulmar

Although gull-like in size, fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) are related to the albatross and spend extended periods of time at sea, gliding over the Arctic waters where they feed in large flocks. They only come inland to breed, establishing extensive colonies on rocky clifftop ledges.

Balearic Shearwater

Balearic Shearwaters are one of the rarest birds in Europe and are one of the two bird species listed as Critically Endangered.

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