Puffinus persicus
The Persian Shearwater (Puffinus persicus) is a medium-sized seabird, typically measuring 30-33 cm in length with a wingspan of 70-76 cm and weighing 150-250 grams. Its plumage is characterized by dark sooty-brown or blackish upperparts that contrast sharply with clean white underparts. Key identification features include its slender, dark bill, and notably pale, flesh-colored feet that are often visible in flight. Taxonomically, it belongs to the family Procellariidae (petrels and shearwater...
Primarily pelagic, inhabiting offshore waters of tropical and subtropical seas, especially near continental shelves. It utilizes remote oceanic islands and rocky cliffs for breeding.
Feeds predominantly on small schooling fish such as sardines and anchovies, squid, and small crustaceans like krill. Forages by pursuit-diving, plunge-diving, and surface-seizing.
Persian Shearwaters are highly social and gregarious at sea, often forming mixed feeding flocks with other seabirds, but are strictly nocturnal at their breeding colonies to avoid aerial predators like gulls and raptors. Their foraging strategy involves surface-seizing, plunge-diving, and pursuit...
The Persian Shearwater's primary breeding range is concentrated on remote offshore islands within the Arabian Sea, notably the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen) and the Khuriya Muriya Islands, including Al-Hallaniyah Island, off the coast of Oman. It may also breed on other as yet undiscovered islands ...
Data Deficient
- The Persian Shearwater is named for its primary distribution within the Arabian Sea, historically known as the Persian Gulf region, making it an excellent regional indicator species. - Like many tubenoses, it possesses a specialized salt gland above its nostrils, enabling it to excrete excess s...