General

Flesh-footed Shearwater: Large, bulky shearwater with dark brown body and darker head and tail. Bill is large and pink with a dark tip. Wings are dark with brown-edged coverts that become paler with wear. Legs and feet are pale pink. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Flesh-footed Shearwater: Breeds on islands off the coast of western Australia, on Lord Howe Island east of Australia, and in New Zealand. Summer visitor to the north Pacific and south to British Columbia; rarely as far south as California. Pelagic, comes ashore only to breed.

Breeding and Nesting

Flesh-footed Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a large burrow lined with grass roots, feathers, and rush stems. Eggs are incubated for 53 days by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Flesh-footed Shearwater: Feeds on fish and squid; forages by plunge diving or skimming the water surface. Also takes offal from behind fishing boats.

Vocalization

Flesh-footed Shearwater: On breeding grounds makes short repeated "gug-gug-gug" calls followed by hoarse, crooning "ku-koo-ah", repeated 3 to 6 times.

Similar Species

Flesh-footed Shearwater: Black Petrel is larger, with larger head, thicker neck, and longer, broader wings. Sooty and Short-tailed shearwaters have dark bills and feet, paler underwings, and faster wing beats.