The great shearwater is a large shearwater in the seabird family Procellariidae. It breeds colonially on rocky islands in the south Atlantic. Outside the breeding season it ranges widely in the Atlantic.
Region
Atlantic Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on rocky, tussock-covered islands in the South Atlantic, especially around Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. Outside the breeding season it roams widely across the Atlantic, ranging north along the coasts of South and North America and Western Europe. It frequents productive upwelling zones, shelf edges, and convergence fronts where prey aggregates. Mostly pelagic, it comes to land only to breed and is rarely seen close inshore except during storms or strong onshore winds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The great shearwater is a large trans-Atlantic seabird that breeds in huge colonies on remote South Atlantic islands and then migrates north across the equator during the boreal summer. Like other petrels, it has tubular nostrils and produces energy-rich stomach oil to feed its chick and for defense. It often follows fishing vessels and marine predators to snatch prey at the surface. Its effortless, shearing flight with long glides over waves is a hallmark at sea.
In flight
![Great shearwater with plastic fragments found in its stomach[7]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Great_Shearwater_plastic_fragments_stomach.jpg/1280px-Great_Shearwater_plastic_fragments_stomach.jpg)
Great shearwater with plastic fragments found in its stomach[7]
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
dynamic soaring with long glides and few wingbeats; low shearing over waves
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially in dense, nocturnal-access colonies, nesting in burrows or rock crevices. Pairs are largely monogamous, laying a single egg and sharing incubation and chick-rearing. Outside breeding, forms flocks and rafts at sea, often aggregating where food is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Mostly silent at sea. At colonies, gives cackling, wailing, and grating calls, often delivered at night and in flight as birds return to the nesting slopes.
