Fluttering Shearwater

The fluttering shearwater (Puffinus gavia) is a species of seabird in the family Procellariidae. It is endemic to New Zealand and migrates to Australia and the Solomon Islands. Its natural habitats are open seas and rocky shores. It has been known as Forster's shearwater in the past. A medium to small-sized shearwater with dark-brown-and-white colour in body. The upper parts, including neck, wings and tail, are uniformly dark brown. Grey-brown colour in face and neck gradually fading into white below the eye. Under body, from chin to the under-tail, is white except for a dark thigh patch that can be seen in flight. Bottom wing commonly white while axillary area is covered in grey-brown fur. Under light conditions, the appearance can changed. Fluttering shearwater has pinkish-brown legs and feet with bark webs, feet extend beyond the tail in flight. The bill is long and thin with dark colour. The tail is fan-shaped and short in flight and it has mixed colour – dark brown and white.