Fluttering Shearwater

The Fluttering Shearwater, known scientifically as Puffinus gavia, is a medium to small-sized seabird with a distinctive dark-brown-and-white plumage. The upper parts, including the neck, wings, and tail, are uniformly dark brown, while the face and neck exhibit a grey-brown hue that fades into white below the eye. The underparts are predominantly white, with the exception of a dark thigh patch visible in flight. The wing bottoms are white, and the axillary area is grey-brown. In certain light conditions, the bird's appearance may vary. Notably, the Fluttering Shearwater possesses pinkish-brown legs and feet with dark webs, and its feet extend beyond the tail during flight. The bill is slender and dark, and the tail appears fan-shaped and short when the bird is airborne, displaying a mix of dark brown and white.

Identification Tips

When observing the Fluttering Shearwater, look for its rapid wing-beating interspersed with glides, a flight pattern that is low and fast. During the moulting period from late January, the dark upper surfaces fade to mid-brown, and the birds appear pale rusty brown and ragged.

Habitat

The Fluttering Shearwater favors marine and terrestrial environments, including coastal and marine areas, scrubland, and forest. It thrives in subtropical waters with warm temperatures around 24°C and high salinity levels. These birds are commonly found in inshore areas such as harbors, inlets, bays, and straits.

Distribution

Endemic to New Zealand, the Fluttering Shearwater breeds there during the warmer months from September to February. Outside the breeding season, from March to August, large numbers can be seen throughout eastern and southeastern Australia, though many remain near their breeding colonies.

Behaviour

These shearwaters exhibit a fluttering of wings and a beating of feet when taking flight from the sea. They often gather in large groups, forming rafts on the water, particularly from mid-December to February, sometimes near coastlines.

Song & Calls

The Fluttering Shearwater's call is a unique and disjointed "ka-hek-ka-hek-ka-hek," usually made during flight.

Breeding

Fluttering Shearwaters are monogamous and begin breeding between 4 to 10 years of age. They nest in burrows lined with natural materials and lay a single pure white, oval egg. Breeding success rates and chick survival have been studied, with notable figures observed on Burgess Island.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Fluttering Shearwater includes schooling fish, small pelagic crustacea, and squid. They employ surface seizing and pursuit diving techniques to catch their prey, often taking advantage of marine currents that bring food close to the water's surface.

Conservation status

The Fluttering Shearwater is currently listed as Least Concern, but its population is in decline. Threats include climate change, overfishing, and oil spills. Conservation efforts include translocation projects to establish new colonies and protect the species from further decline.