MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus

L 31–36 cm, WS 76–85 cm.
 

IDENTIFICATION 

Medium-sized shearwater. The commonest species in NW Europe. Flight fast, with series of rapid, shallow, stiff-winged beats close to water followed by low glide, often swinging from side to side. Typically holds wings rather straight. In stronger winds progression mostly by gliding with wings flexed back, rising above skyline in shallow (sometimes high) arcs. Does not often follow ships but scavenges at trawlers.

Often forms rafts. Manx distinguished from all other species (apart from Yelkouan, Little and Audubon’s, q.v.) by blackish upperparts contrasting sharply with almost wholly white underparts and underwing (the latter being dark only on wingtip and trailing edge). Confusion most likely with very similar Yelkouan. 

VOICE 

On breeding grounds typically a loud, raucous, cackling and crooning ‘cack-cack-cack-carrooo’, but much variation in pitch, making calls often sound squealing or howling. Usually silent at sea. 

STATUS/HABITAT 

Common. (Map note: in summer marine range extends from S coast of Iceland east to N coast of Norway and south through Atlantic and North Sea to Azores and Canary Is. Almost all winter off S America. Breeding areas seemingly mapped for mainland coasts generally refer to nearby offshore islands.) Breeds in burrows and crevices on slopes and flat tops of islands. Away from breeding colonies mainly pelagic, but locally comes close inshore.