Streaked Shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Streaked Shearwater is a large seabird that breeds on islands off East Asia and rarely visits U.S. waters. Streaked Shearwaters have brown upperparts, a white underside, and fine dark streaks on a pale face. Streaked Shearwaters spend most of their lives over the Pacific Ocean, gliding low over waves on long wings.

Appearance

Appearance: This large shearwater has brown upperparts, a white underside, and a pale face marked with fine dark streaks.

Look-alikes

Wedge-tailed ShearwaterArdenna pacifica

In Hawaii, a pale Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) can look similar at sea. The Streaked Shearwater has fine marks on its pale face and a grayish bill; the Wedge-tailed has a plainer dark face and a slim dark bill.

Why they get mixed upBoth can look brown above and white below.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Open ocean
Offshore breeding islands
Range: It breeds around Japan and Korea and travels south toward waters near New Guinea and Australia. In the United States, it has appeared only rarely, including around Hawaii.
Seasonal presence: A rare visitor to U.S. waters.

Behavior

Activity: It glides low over waves on long wings.

Life cycle

Nest: On its East Asian breeding islands, it nests in burrows in the ground.
Clutch size: 1 egg

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NTNear ThreatenedCould become threatened before long

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