General

Pink-footed Shearwater: Large shearwater with gray-brown upperparts, white underparts, and mottled brown flanks and undertail coverts. White underparts and wing linings are variably mottled. Head is gray-brown and pink bill is tipped with black. Flight feathers are dark-bordered and underwing coverts are mottled gray. Legs and feet are pink. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Pink-footed Shearwater: Breeds on islands off coast of Chile; summer visitor off the west coast as far north as southeastern Alaska. Prefers open ocean, well offshore over the continental shelf.

Breeding and Nesting

Pink-footed Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a burrow on a grassy island and incubated by both parents for 48 to 56 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Pink-footed Shearwater: Feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. Forages by plunge diving from flight; also snatches food from the water surface. Rarely follows ships.

Vocalization

Pink-footed Shearwater: Silent at sea.

Similar Species

Pink-footed Shearwater: Black-vented Shearwater is much smaller with a faster wing beat. Streaked Shearwater is paler below with a streaked nape.