upperwing

upperwing underwing European distribution Flying low over sea

Identification

This combination of black-and-white eliminates the browner Cory's and Mediterranean Shearwaters and the all-black Sooty Shearwater. Great Shearwaters can look black and white but they are larger and have a distinct dark-capped appearance. Characteristically, Shearwaters flap busily on stiff wings, then glide for a while, occasionally tilting to show first their all-dark upperparts, then their mainly white underparts.

Habitat

Breeds on remote grassy headlands and islands; otherwise oceanic.

Behaviour

Birds often collect on the water near their breeding grounds at dusk but normally only come onshore under the cover of darkness when the colonies become very noisy.

Migration

Birds at breeding grounds February-October, spending rest of time at sea off South America.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Manx Shearwater is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Cloch Pt, Clyde 23/08/2010	Cloch Pt, Clyde 23/08/2010	Rhum, Highland 04/08/2010	Rumps Point, Cornwall 14/08/2010	Ardrishaig, Argyll 15/08/2010
Rhum, Highland 06/08/2010	at sea, Pembrokes 12/08/2010	Rhum, Highland 06/08/2010	Rhum, Highland 06/08/2010	Arran ferry, Ayr 17/07/2010

 View all pictures of Manx Shearwater

Manx Shearwater breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Azores
Britain
Canary Islands
Faroe Islands
France
Iceland
Ireland
Madeira

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob460.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Manx Shearwater	Edit this link
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	RSPB: Seabird insurance policy pays dividends: Lundy wildlife thriving since rats removed	Friday 7th November 2008
	Manx Shearwater numbers triple in wake of rodent cull.   read on
	Brief notes on a stranded Inner London Manx Shearwater	Friday 3rd October 2008
	Des McKenzie relates the adventures of a very lost bird.   read on
	Identifying Yelkouan Shearwaters	Monday 15th August 2005
	Yelkouan Shearwaters can occur in British and Irish waters; identification expert Martin Garner provides some cutting-edge ID tips on what to look for.

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