WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER Puffinus pacificus

WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER Puffinus pacificus

L 41–46 cm, WS 96–104 cm.
 

IDENTIFICATION 

Vagrant (breeds from Indian Ocean eastwards to Pacific). Medium-large polymorphic shearwater (dark morph much commoner), with intermediates. Flight typically rather buoyant with slow flaps and short glides (often circling), although more rapid and bounding in strong winds; distinctly broadbased wings held well forwards and bowed when gliding. Dark morph distinguished from other all-dark shearwaters by relatively long tail typically giving slender, tapering appearance to rear body (wedge shape apparent only from time to time, when manoeuvring), almost uniform dark underwing, upperwing often with obvious pale area on coverts (most obvious in worn birds), and distinctive flight action. Head and all-dark bill rather slender, adding to overall slender body shape. 

Feet pale pinkish. Sooty has chunkier head, obvious silvery patches on underwing coverts, shorter,  inconspicuous tail, dark feet, and narrower wings that are held straighter when gliding. Fleshfooted heavier and chunkier overall, with stouter, largely pale pink bill, shorter, less conspicuous tail, silvery undersides to primaries, and straighter wings when gliding. Jouanin’s Petrel distinctly smaller (although has similar long-tailed appearance), with heavier head and bill (latter usually held at a downwards angle), pale upperwing band often more defined, narrower wings and typically high bounding flight. Pale morph recalls Cory’s in coloration (being paler brown above than dark morph) but is smaller overall than typical Cory’s, with slim, dark bill, smaller head, longer and more slender tail, broader dark trailing edge to underwing and brown mottling on flanks and undertail coverts (visible only at close range). (Beware possible, if unlikely, confusion with smaller, darkbilled edwardsii race of Cory’s of Cape Verde Is.) 

VOICE 

Silent at sea.
 

STATUS/HABITAT 

Vagrant (Egypt). Pelagic away from breeding colonies.