Mediterranean Shearwater
Puffinus yelkouan
The Mediterranean Shearwater, also known as the Yelkouan Shearwater, is a rare visitor to British waters, typically seen during the summer months in the southern and western coasts, particularly in areas with warm ocean currents. It is more commonly associated with the Mediterranean region, but occasional sightings have been recorded in Britain.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Mediterranean Shearwater in the field.
This species can be identified by its dark brown upperparts, white underparts, and a distinctive black stripe that runs across its forehead, as well as its relatively small size and slender wings. Its wingtips are also dark, forming a diagonal line across the primaries.
The Mediterranean Shearwater is slightly smaller than a Manx Shearwater, with a length of around 30-35 cm, making it larger than a Blue Tit but smaller than a Starling.
The male Mediterranean Shearwater has a dark brown back and wings, with a white belly and white undertail coverts, and a black stripe that extends from the bill to the back of the head, with a greyish-brown crown and nape.
The female plumage is similar to that of the male, with no notable differences in colour or pattern.
The Mediterranean Shearwater's call is a high-pitched, sharp "kee-kee-kee" or "klee-klee-klee", often repeated in a series of short phrases.
This species is a skilled flyer, using its slender wings to glide and dive in pursuit of small fish and squid, and is often seen in large flocks, particularly in areas with abundant food sources, such as coastal upwellings or near marine ridges.
The Mediterranean Shearwater can be confused with the Manx Shearwater, but can be distinguished by its darker upperparts, white undertail coverts, and the black stripe across its forehead, as well as its smaller size and more slender wings.
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