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Streaked shearwater facts for kids

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Streaked shearwater
Streaked shearwater sitting.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification

The streaked shearwater (Calonectris leucomelas) is a type of seabird. It spends most of its life flying over the ocean. This bird is about 48 centimeters (19 inches) long. Its wings can spread out to about 122 centimeters (48 inches) wide.

What Does the Streaked Shearwater Look Like and Eat?

The streaked shearwater mostly eats fish and squid. They are often seen following fishing boats. This is because they are looking for small fish like anchovies that the boats might stir up. Sometimes, these birds can accidentally get caught in fishing nets. They might also get tangled in long fishing lines while trying to eat the bait.

Where Does the Streaked Shearwater Live?

This seabird lives in the Pacific Ocean. They build their nests in burrows (tunnels in the ground). They usually choose hills that have trees.

Streaked shearwaters are found in many places. They are quite common. However, some birds get caught in fishing nets. Also, cats and rats sometimes hunt them. In some places, people also hunt these birds for food.

Where Do Streaked Shearwaters Travel?

Streaked shearwaters are pelagic birds. This means they live far out in the open ocean. But you can also find them closer to shore. They nest mainly in Japan and the Korean Peninsula. They prefer to nest on islands off the coast of these countries.

After they finish nesting, these birds fly south. They travel to places like northern New Guinea, the Arafura Sea, and the South China Sea to find food. Streaked shearwaters have also been seen far off the west coast of the United States. They have even been reported near southern India and New Zealand. There was even one found in Wyoming, which is very far from the ocean!

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