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Scopoli's Shearwater
(Calonectris diomedea)
 German name(s): "Sepiasturmtaucher"
Size: 45-52 cm; wing span 1.12-1.22 m
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Scopoli's Shearwaters are large shearwaters.
Their underparts are white, except for light-grey shoulder patches.
The upperparts, including the crown and the sides of the head to
below the eyes, are lightly vermiculated brownish-grey, with darker
grey wings. The vermiculation comes from light-grey fringes on the
individual feathers. The flight feathers are very dark grey, without
light fringes.
The underwings are mostly white, except for a black fringe all
round. The leading black edge is narrow, while the trailing edge
is wide. Also the primary flight feathers are dark-grey to black;
on the underside they have white streaks going up their spines.
The undertail, when fanned, also shows dark fringes.
Seen up close, Scopoli's Shearwaters have light-grey eye-rings.
The irises are dark, while the bill is yellow, with a grey hooked
tip. In-flight the pink legs and feet are usually not visible.
As opposed to
Cory's Shearwater,
they have white streaks up the underside of their primaries,
creating a "finger" or "hand" pattern.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Scopoli's
Shearwater at Wikipedia  .
Click here for classification information
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of Scopoli's Shearwater is available
HERE
.
Scopoli's Shearwater is a species of the Atlantic Ocean
and of the Mediterranean Sea.
Their overall range extends from the central Atlantic Ocean
(roughly the latitude of Ireland) southwards to southern
Brazil and Namibia. They visit the western coastline of
Africa and the eastern coastline of Brazil, but they only
rarely enter the Caribbean or the Gulf of Mexico or approach
the North American coastline.
In Europe, Scopoli's Shearwaters are present all year round.
With one exception in the Gulf of Biscaye, their breeding
grounds are located around the Mediterranean Sea, mostly
on islands, from the Balearic Islands to Crete and smaller
Greek islands.
Outside the breeding season they spend most of their time
on the open Atlantic Ocean or in coastal waters. There may
be an overwintering population around Sicily.
During the breeding season Scopoli's Shearwaters have a
strong preference for rocky islands, cliffs and coastlines.
During the rest of the year they are basically always on
or above the open ocean.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
J. Pires
reports spotting Scopoli's Shearwaters during a pelagic trip off
Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, in October 2020. Another was found at
the same location in October 2022.
All sighting and photographic information presented on this
page has kindly been contributed by J. Pires.
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Photos |
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ADULT |
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Near-dorsal view of Scopoli's Shearwater; this bird was not identified
by just this photo, but others taken in flight (shown below; October 2022)
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Off Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2022]
Near-lateral view of Scopoli's Shearwater in flight
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Off Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2020]
Near-lateral view of the same Scopoli's Shearwater as above; in
this view, with a more acute angle onto the primaries, the white
"finger" pattern on the primaries is hardly visible
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Off Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2020]
Near-dorsal view of Scopoli's Shearwater taking off; note the
prominent white "finger" pattern on the primaries; at lower right,
for comparison, a
Sooty Shearwater
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Off Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2022]
Near-dorsal view of Scopoli's Shearwater banking to land on water
(photo courtesy of J. Pires)
[Off Sagres, Algarve, Portugal, October 2022]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
