General

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Dark Morph: Large shearwater, dark brown overall with black-tipped, dark gray bill. Light morph has gray-brown head and upperparts, underparts are mostly white with brown mottling. Tail is long and pointed in flight but fans to wedge-shaped when banking turns or landing. Legs and feet are pink. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Dark Morph: Breeds widely in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Pelagic, comes ashore only to breed.

Breeding and Nesting

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Dark Morph: One white egg is laid in a burrow lined with plant material. Incubation ranges from 48 to 56 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Dark Morph: Feeds during the day on larval forms of goatfish, mackerel, scad, and flying squid driven to the surface by schools of predatory fish (e.g., skipjack tuna).

Vocalization

Wedge-tailed Shearwater: Silent at sea; on breeding grounds gives a mournful wailing "ka-woooo-er."

Similar Species

Wedge-tailed Shearwater Dark Morph: Flesh-footed Shearwater has dull pink bill and short, rounded tail. Short-tailed Shearwater is brown-black overall with short, black bill and gray-black legs and feet.