Flesh-footed Shearwater

Overview

The flesh-footed shearwater, also known as the sable shearwater, is a medium-large seabird that primarily inhabits the Indo-Pacific region. Classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, it belongs to the Ardenna genus and forms a superspecies with the pink-footed shearwater.

Identification

• Plumage is entirely black.
• Features pale pinkish feet.
• Possesses a pale bill with a distinct black tip.

Habitat

The species mainly inhabits the Indo-Pacific, breeding in colonies in the southwest Pacific Ocean, along the coast of Western Australia, and on St Paul Island in the Indian Ocean. It also acts as a boreal summer visitor in the North Pacific Ocean.

Did you know?

The species faces significant heavy metal contamination likely caused by the ingestion of plastic waste, which the birds mistake for food floating on the ocean surface.