Pink-footed Shearwater

The Pink-footed Shearwater, known scientifically as Ardenna creatopus, is a seabird of notable size, measuring 48 cm in length with an impressive wingspan of 109 cm. Exhibiting polymorphism, it presents variations in plumage with both darker and lighter phases. This species, along with the Flesh-footed Shearwater, belongs to the Hemipuffinus group, a superspecies complex that may share a distant relative across the Atlantic in the form of the Great Shearwater.

Identification Tips

When observing the Pink-footed Shearwater, one can identify it by its sizeable frame and the characteristic pink hue of its feet, from which it derives its name. The bird's plumage varies, but typically it features a blend of grey and white tones that provide camouflage against the sea and sky.

Habitat

This shearwater favors the open ocean, a true pelagic species that finds solace in the vastness of the Pacific.

Distribution

The Pink-footed Shearwater breeds on remote offshore islands off the coast of Chile, such as Mocha Island. After the breeding season, it undertakes a remarkable transequatorial migration to the subarctic waters of the Pacific, and can be spotted off the West Coast of the United States during the warmer months.

Behaviour

This bird is a colonial nester, preferring to lay its eggs in burrows nestled within forested slopes. It is a species that thrives in the company of its own kind, forming large, bustling colonies.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the Pink-footed Shearwater are less documented in this account, but as with many seabirds, they likely have a repertoire of calls used in social interactions and breeding.

Breeding

The Pink-footed Shearwater nests in burrows, a behavior that provides protection for its young in the remote island habitats where it breeds.

Similar Species

The Flesh-footed Shearwater is the closest relative and can be confused with the Pink-footed Shearwater. However, genetic studies suggest these two may be more closely related than previously thought, potentially even conspecific.

Diet and Feeding

A diet rich in fish, squid, and crustaceans sustains the Pink-footed Shearwater, with its foraging taking place in the open ocean.

Conservation status

The Pink-footed Shearwater is currently classified as Vulnerable. Its numbers have been impacted by predation from introduced species such as rats and cats. Additionally, entanglement in fishing gear poses a significant threat. This species is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, highlighting the international concern for its future.