Barolo Shearwater

The Barolo shearwater, known scientifically as Puffinus baroli, is a diminutive member of the shearwater family. This avian marvel, also referred to as the North Atlantic little shearwater or Macaronesian shearwater, is distinguished by its pale face, which contrasts starkly with its dark eyes. Its upperwings boast a silvery panel, and its wings are shorter and more rounded compared to its relatives. A notable feature of this species is its blue feet, which add a splash of color to its otherwise muted plumage.

Identification Tips

When endeavoring to identify the Barolo shearwater, look for its pale facial complexion set against the dark backdrop of its eyes. The wings, though compact, have a distinct silvery sheen on the upper side. Observers should also note the bird's blue feet, a characteristic not commonly found in North Atlantic Puffinus species.

Habitat

The Barolo shearwater is a bird of the ocean, making its home over the vast expanses of the North Atlantic. It breeds on remote islands, favoring the rocky cliffs and crevices found in the Azores and Canaries of Macaronesia.

Distribution

This species has a breeding range that includes the Azores, Desertas, Savage, and Canary islands. The Selvagen Islands host the largest known colony, with approximately 1,400 breeding pairs. Outside the breeding season, the Barolo shearwater roams the tropical and subtropical northeast Atlantic.

Behaviour

The Barolo shearwater is an adept forager, plying the upper 15 meters of the ocean in search of sustenance. It exhibits no particular preference for foraging during the day or night, though it appears more inclined to take flight during daylight hours. Its diet consists mainly of fish and cephalopods, with the Argonauta argo being a favored cephalopod in the Azores, amidst a diverse selection of other cephalopod prey. The fish it consumes are almost exclusively from the genus Phycis.

Threats

As with many seabirds, the Barolo shearwater faces threats from introduced predators such as rats and cats at its breeding colonies. Additionally, fledglings are vulnerable to disorientation by artificial lights during their inaugural flights from the nest to the sea, a phenomenon that can lead to mortality. Observations from Tenerife in the Canary Islands suggest a potential decline in the local population, as fewer birds are being attracted to lights, indicating broader conservation concerns for the species.