A small, compact shearwater of the Southern Pacific Coast. Adult is uniformly dark above and mostly white below with a thin dark bill. Undertail is dark. Underwing linings are white, framed by a narrow dark leading edge of the underwings and dark flight feathers. Face and neck are dusky with these markings extending onto the sides of the neck and upper breast. Flight is quick, choppy. Formerly considered a subspecies of Manx Shearwater. Manx is similar, but shows more crisp transitions between dark upperparts and white underparts; pale crescent on neck, and relatively long wings.

Length: 36 (cm) Wingspan: 86 (cm)

Habitat:

Open ocean, generally restricted to warmer waters. Seen regularly from shore.

Behavior:

Nests on oceanic islands, laying one egg inside burrow. At sea, a strong, quick flier; aerodynamic flight uses air currents off waves. Does not follow boats.

Feeding:

Swims underwater or picks food from water's surface; eats a variety of fish, squid, other small aquatic organisms, and scraps.