The Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) is a medium sized sized bird, which has recently been regarded as a distict species of shearwater after many years of conflict of opinion.
picture of resting balearic shearwater - wikipedia
Appearence: This bird is approximately 35–40 cm long, with an 85–90 cm wingspan. It has the typically "shearing" flight of the genus, dipping from side to side on stiff wings with few wingbeats, the wingtips almost touching the water. It seems to soar, being carried by the air surges on the surface of the water. Keeping a rigid frame with the wings held at right-angles to the body. Due to the fact that they use very little energy, due to the rare flicker of their wings to stabelize, and being carried by the wind, it is said that they can fly far out to see in search of food.
This species breeds on islands and coastal cliffs in the Balearic islands. Most winter in that sea, but some enter the Atlantic in late summer, reaching north to Great Britain and Ireland.
This species nests in burrows which are visited only at night to avoid predation by large gulls.
This is a gregarious species, which can been seen in large numbers from boats or headlands, especially on in autumn.
It is silent at sea, but at night the breeding colonies are alive with raucous cackling calls, higher pitched than the Manx Shearwater's.
The Balearic Shearwater feeds on fish and molluscs. It does not follow boats.
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