General

Short-tailed Shearwater: Medium-sized shearwater with dark brown body and occasional traces of white in the center of upperwings. Feet are dark gray and trail slightly behind tail in flight. Tail is rounded. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Short-tailed Shearwater: Breeds on coasts and islands of southeastern Australia. Summer visitor to Pacific Coast of North America, from Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands south to California; rare south of British Columbia. Pelagic, comes ashore only to breed.

Breeding and Nesting

Short-tailed Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a leaf-lined chamber at the end of a burrow. Incubation ranges from 52 to 55 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Short-tailed Shearwater: Feeds on krill and small fish; usually forages at surface, but sometimes plunge dives for food.

Vocalization

Short-tailed Shearwater: Silent at sea.

Similar Species

Short-tailed Shearwater: Sooty Shearwater has a slightly longer bill and more pronounced white under the wings. Wedge-tailed Shearwater has a noticeably longer tail.