Great Shearwater

Great Shearwater (Puffinus gravis)

Great Shearwater

 The Great Shearwater is a common pelagic bird of the Bay of Fundy in summer.  It can be seen from our shores or following any  fishing boat.  It is found here from May or June through October.  It is an amazing world traveller.

The Great Shearwater breeds on islands in the southern Atlantic Ocean in the southern hemisphere; Nightingale Island, Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha and Gough Islands.  It is a member of the Procellariidae family (Shearwaters and Petrels).  It breeds in the southern hemisphere summer and then moves north to spend summer in the northern hemisphere.  It is a phenomenal flyer coming up the west coast of the Atlantic in our spring, flying eventually across the Atlantic Ocean and moving south again in our fall down the west coast of Europe and Africa.  It has long narrow wings which make it a good flier.  When we see it around our waters it is often flying close to the water on stiff wings.  It can get its lift off the air moving across the waves.  It is interesting to watch.

Great Shearwater

The Great Shearwater is one of four shearwaters found in the North Atlantic.  We can also see Sooty Shearwaters, Manx Shearwaters and Cory's Shearwaters.  The Manx is not common and the Cory's is rare.  I am not sure why the Great Shearwater is so named because the Cory's is larger (Great - 46 cm/18 in with a wingspan of 112 cm/44 in; Cory's - 46 cm/18 in with a wingspan of 117 cm/46 in).

Great Shearwater

The Great Shearwater builds its nest in burrows in earth or among rocks where it lays one white egg which is incubated for 55 days.  This is the only time the species comes to land.  The rest of the year it spends at sea.  It lands on the water to rest.  It has some difficulty taking off from the water and needs a running start, usually pattering along with its feet as seen in the photo above.  That is one of the many interesting sounds we hear from our pelagic birding boat trips.  Great Shearwaters feed mainly on fish and squid.  They have learned that fishing boats often dump fish parts overboard so often follow boats feeding on offal.

The Great Shearwater is dark brown above and white below.  Its mantle (back) appears scaly brown and gray.  It has a U-shaped rump patch.  Its head pattern is unique and helps with identification.  Its dark cap extends to just below the eyes and is set off with a white collar.  It has a long thin dark bill with a hook on the end.  The underparts are white.  It has variable dark markings on the underwing which also help in identification.  See the photo below.

Great Shearwater Showing Mottled Underwing

  Great Shearwaters are seen as friendly pelagic birds.  They are one of the most common birds seen from bird-watching boats off Grand Manan in season.  Because they readily seek offal and handouts from boats they often come in close, good for viewing and photography.  Even though they are listed as basically silent birds, they do emit a whining sound when competing for food.   Great Shearwaters have a unique method of self-defence.  They eject a foul-smelling oil from their nostrils when scared.  I am pleased I have never experienced this behaviour!

Great Shearwater