Galápagos shearwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Galápagos shearwater |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Puffinus
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| Species: |
subalaris
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| Synonyms | |
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Puffinus lherminieri subalaris |
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The Galápagos shearwater (Puffinus subalaris) is a small seabird. It lives mainly around the Galápagos Islands. For a long time, people thought it was a type of Audubon's shearwater. But scientists now know it's a unique species.
This bird is special because it's part of a very old group of small Puffinus birds. The only other bird in this ancient group is the Christmas shearwater. Scientists found this out by studying their DNA.
About the Galápagos Shearwater
The Galápagos shearwater is a bird that only breeds in the Galápagos Islands. This means it's an endemic species there. It usually stays close to these islands. However, some birds have been seen as far away as the coast of Oaxaca in Mexico.
What Does It Look Like?
The Galápagos shearwater has dark brown feathers on its back, tail, and the flight feathers under its wings. The rest of its belly and chest are white. Sometimes, it has a dark band around its neck. Both male and female birds look the same. Young birds also look like the adults after they learn to fly.
This shearwater is a slender bird. It is about 29 to 31 centimeters (11-12 inches) long. Its wingspan is around 63 centimeters (25 inches). It weighs between 123 and 225 grams (4-8 ounces). This bird looks a lot like the tropical shearwater. But the tropical shearwater is usually darker and has a longer tail.
How Does It Behave?
The Galápagos shearwater is a social bird. It likes to be with other birds. You can often see it feeding at sea with other shearwaters and boobies.
When it flies, it stays low over the water. It eats squid, fish, and even scraps of food left by other animals. When it flies, it flaps its wings quickly 4 to 10 times. Then, it glides smoothly for a short distance.
See also
In Spanish: Pardela de las Galápagos para niños
