General

Audubon's Shearwater: Small, stocky seabird with dark brown upperparts and white underparts. Underwing coverts are white. Tail is dark brown with short, gray undertail coverts. Bill is dark and legs and feet are pink. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Audubon's Shearwater: Breeds on islands in tropical seas around the world. Wanders northward along the Gulf Stream from the Caribbean and Bermuda as far as the Carolinas and New England; spends most of its time on water.

Breeding and Nesting

Audubon's Shearwater: One white egg is laid on the ground under a clump of dense vegetation or in a rock crevice. Both parents incubate the egg for about 51 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Audubon's Shearwater: Feeds on fish and squid; forages by snatching prey from surface or plunge diving to depths of about six feet.

Vocalization

Audubon's Shearwater: Makes squeals, grunts, and coos on breeding grounds and during confrontations with other birds.

Similar Species

Audubon's Shearwater: Little Shearwater has more white on face and underwings, white undertail coverts, gray legs, and different flight pattern. Manx Shearwater is larger and has a different flight pattern, with more soaring and less flapping.