FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER Puffinus carneipes

FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER Puffinus carneipes

Pale-footed Shearwater
L 41–48 cm, WS 99–109 cm.
 

IDENTIFICATION 

Vagrant (breeds Southern Oceans, wintering north to N Pacific and N Indian Ocean). Large, rather broad-winged all-dark shearwater. Flight action rather slow and ponderous, with slow, deep wingbeats and long glides on stiff wings. In windier conditions shows more typical shearwater flight of long arcs. Most likely to be confused with Sooty, which is smaller and narrower-winged. Best distinguished by pale pink bill with blackish tip (and pale pink legs, if visible) contrasting with overall dark appearance and almost wholly dark underwing (although primary bases a little paler than coverts in good light). From dark morph Wedge-tailed by pale pink bill with blackish tip and almost wholly dark underwing; also by rather straight wings, not bowed and held forward. See also skuas (dark morphs and juveniles) and Jouanin’s Petrel.
 

VOICE 

Silent at sea.

STATUS/HABITAT 

Vagrant (Eilat, Israel). Pelagic away from breeding colonies.