Galápagos shearwater

The Galápagos shearwater is a small shearwater. Until recently it was considered to be a subspecies of Audubon's shearwater, but it is actually one of two members of a very ancient lineage of the small Puffinus species, the other being, as indicated by mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data, the Christmas shearwater.

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Distribution

Region

Eastern Tropical Pacific (Galápagos Archipelago)

Typical Environment

Occurs in marine waters surrounding the Galápagos Islands, typically within sight of the archipelago. Breeds on rocky islets and coastal cliffs, using crevices and burrows in lava slopes. Forages over nearshore to offshore pelagic waters, especially around upwelling zones and current fronts. Often remains relatively local to breeding colonies rather than dispersing far across the ocean.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 400 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size28–31 cm

Wing Span60–70 cm

Male Weight0.23 kg

Female Weight0.21 kg

Life Expectancy18 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Galápagos shearwater is a small tropical shearwater confined to the Galápagos, where it forages close to the islands. Once treated as a subspecies of Audubon’s shearwater, genetic work shows it forms a very old lineage among small Puffinus, with the Christmas shearwater as its closest relative. It nests colonially in crevices and burrows on lava cliffs and is mostly nocturnal at breeding sites to avoid predators. At sea it flies low over the waves with quick flaps and long glides.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

social at sea and colonial when breeding

Flight Pattern

low shearing flight close to the waves with rapid wingbeats and long glides

Social Behavior

Breeds in colonies on cliffs and islets, nesting in crevices or burrows in lava and soil. Largely nocturnal at colonies, arriving and departing under cover of darkness. Lays a single egg; both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Mostly silent at sea, but around colonies gives soft trills, chatter, and moaning calls at night. Vocalizations carry over the colony during peak nocturnal activity.

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Identification

Leg Colorpink with dark webbing

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Dark brown to blackish upperparts contrasting with clean white underparts; underwing mostly white with a narrow dark border and darker wing edges; flanks can appear slightly dusky.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Takes small fish, squid, and crustaceans captured by surface seizing and shallow pursuit-plunging. Frequently forages over schools driven to the surface by predatory fish and may associate with tuna and dolphins. Occasionally follows boats to pick at discards.

Preferred Environment

Feeds in nearshore to offshore waters around the Galápagos, favoring areas of upwelling, current fronts, and shelf edges. Often concentrates where baitfish are abundant close to the islands.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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