Ardenna grisea
Length: 17-18 in Wingspan: 3-4 feet Weight: 1-2 lbs
Identification:
Dark above and below (only all-dark shearwater in the north Atlantic) with light underwing patches, generally lightest over primary coverts (compare to Short-tailed Shearwater with darker underwing overall, and lightest over secondary coverts). Dark bill and feet.
Distribution:
Nests off New Zealand, Australia, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. During nonbreeding season, can be seen off the east and west coasts of North America.
Cool Facts:
The Sooty’ Shearwater’s amazing sense of smell leads it to food, but also danger: a study by UC Davis ecologists found that ocean plastics release the same odor shearwaters use to find krill, and filling up on indigestible plastic may result in starvation.
Make your own bird cookies!
References:
Bird on the Move 