General
Pink-footed Shearwater: Large shearwater with gray-brown upperparts, white underparts, and mottled brown flanks and undertail coverts. White underparts and wing linings are variably mottled. Head is gray-brown and pink bill is tipped with black. Flight feathers are dark-bordered and underwing coverts are mottled gray. Legs and feet are pink. Sexes are similar.
Range and Habitat
Pink-footed Shearwater: Breeds on islands off coast of Chile; migratory, and a regular summer visitor off the Pacific Coast of North America from central Mexico to southern Alaska. Winters in the subarctic waters of the Pacific Ocean. Pelagic, preferring open ocean, well offshore over the continental shelf coming ashore only for breeding.
Breeding and Nesting
Pink-footed Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a burrow on a grassy island and incubated by both parents for 48 to 56 days.
Foraging and Feeding
Pink-footed Shearwater: Feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. Forages by plunge diving from flight; also snatches food from the water surface. Rarely follows ships.
Vocalization
Pink-footed Shearwater: Silent at sea.
Similar Species
Pink-footed Shearwater: Black-vented Shearwater is much smaller with a faster wing beat. Streaked Shearwater is paler below with a streaked nape.