Wedge-tailed Shearwater facts for kids
The wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) is a type of seabird. It's a medium-large bird that belongs to the Procellariidae family, which includes other shearwaters and petrels. These birds are known for their long, narrow wings and their way of flying low over the ocean, often appearing to "shear" the waves.
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About the Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Wedge-tailed shearwaters get their name from their tail, which looks like a wedge. They are usually about 40 to 46 centimeters (16 to 18 inches) long. Their wingspan can reach up to 100 to 105 centimeters (39 to 41 inches). These birds have two main color forms, called "morphs." One morph is dark brown all over, and the other has a pale belly with dark upper parts.
Where Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Live
These amazing birds live in the tropical and subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. They are often found far out at sea, but they come to land to breed. They nest on islands, especially those with sandy soil where they can dig burrows. Some common nesting spots include islands off the coast of Australia, Hawaii, and other Pacific islands.
What Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Eat
Wedge-tailed shearwaters are skilled hunters of the sea. Their main diet includes small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They catch their food by diving into the water from the air. They can dive quite deep to chase their prey. Sometimes, they also pick up food from the surface of the water.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Wedge-tailed shearwaters are colonial breeders, meaning they gather in large groups to nest. They usually return to the same nesting sites year after year.
Nesting Habits
These birds dig burrows in the ground, often under bushes or rocks, to lay their eggs. Both parents help dig the burrow. They prefer soft soil that is easy to dig.
Eggs and Chicks
A female wedge-tailed shearwater lays just one white egg per breeding season. Both parents take turns incubating the egg, which means keeping it warm until it hatches. This usually takes about 50 to 55 days. Once the chick hatches, both parents feed it. They bring back food from the ocean, which they have partially digested, and then regurgitate it for their chick.
Fledging
The chick stays in the burrow for a long time, usually around 90 to 100 days. During this time, it grows quickly. Once it's ready, the young bird leaves the burrow and flies out to sea for the first time. It will spend several years at sea before returning to land to breed itself.
Interesting Facts About These Birds
- Wedge-tailed shearwaters are known for their unique calls, especially at night during the breeding season. They make a sound that some people describe as a "moaning" or "wailing" noise.
- They can live for a long time, with some individuals known to live for over 30 years.
- These birds are excellent long-distance flyers. They can travel thousands of miles across the ocean in search of food.
Images for kids
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Chick of wedge-tailed shearwater in burrow, Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
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The pale morph and dark morphs side by side.
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See also
In Spanish: Pardela del Pacífico para niños
