Calonectris leucomelas
The Streaked Shearwater, *Calonectris leucomelas*, is a striking pelagic seabird distinguished by its unique head pattern and graceful flight. Averaging 48-51 cm in length with a wingspan of 115-122 cm and weighing between 500-600g, it exhibits dark brownish-grey upperparts, pristine white underparts, and a pale, streaked face and crown that contrasts sharply with its darker cap and nape. Key identification marks include this distinctive streaked head, a long, slender bill, and a noticeable d...
This species is primarily pelagic, inhabiting offshore waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, rarely venturing close to shore except during breeding. It nests on remote, rocky islands, digging burrows or utilizing natural crevices.
Their diet primarily consists of small schooling fish such as sardines, anchovies, and mackerel, supplemented with squid and crustaceans. They primarily forage by surface-seizing, shallow diving, and scavenging discards from fishing vessels.
Streaked Shearwaters are largely diurnal at sea when foraging but become strictly nocturnal when visiting their breeding colonies to avoid predation by gulls and raptors. Their foraging strategy involves surface-seizing, shallow pursuit-diving, and often associating with predatory fish like tuna ...
The Streaked Shearwater primarily breeds on remote islands across the Northwestern Pacific, with major colonies found in Japan (especially the Izu, Oki, and Tsushima Islands), South Korea, and smaller numbers in China and the Russian Far East. Following the breeding season, they undertake an exte...
Least Concern
- The Streaked Shearwater undertakes one of the longest trans-equatorial migrations among its genus. - They possess a highly developed sense of smell, aiding them in locating prey patches and their breeding colonies in the dark. - These birds can produce a foul-smelling, orange stomach oil which ...