General

Tropical Shearwater: Small seabird black-brown above, on sides of neck, undertail, and on flight feathers and leading edge of underwing. Underparts, upper sides of rump, and wing linings are white. Medium, blue-gray bill with slightly hooked tip. Long, slightly pointed wings. Short, pink-gray legs and webbed feet. Feeds on small fish, small crustaceans, and squid. Forages by catching prey with bill after dives, submerging beneath the water, or plucking food items from just below the surface.

Breeding and Nesting

Tropical Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a small burrow or in a rock crevice on oceanic islets. No vegetation is used in the nest. The egg is incubated by both sexes for 50 days.

Foraging and Feeding

Tropical Shearwater: Feeds on small fish, small crustaceans, and squid. Forages by catching prey with bill. It can dive beneath the surface of the oceanic waters during flight, float on the water and then submerge to catch prey, or flutter just above the water and pluck food items from just below the surface.

Vocalization

Tropical Shearwater: At nesting sites, emits a loud, crooning “korrooo-herr-korrooo-herr."