Manx Shearwater
1. Bird Name
The English name of this bird is the Manx Shearwater, with its Latin scientific name being Puffinus puffinus.
2. Appearance
The Manx Shearwater is a medium-sized bird with elongated shape and sleek body. It has a characteristic black and white coloration, sporting a dark brown or greyish-black hue on top, and a clean white belly beneath. Its beak is thin and sharp, ideal for its fishing lifestyle, and its eyes are a deep, dark black color. The wings of the bird are long and stiff, seemingly narrow for its frame, but this aids in its powerful flying capabilities. There’s virtually no difference in appearance between the males and females of the species.
3. Size
On average, a fully grown Manx Shearwater measures up to 35-38 cm (14-15 in) in length. It boasts a wingspan of about 80-90 cm (31-35 in), and can weigh from 350 to 500g (12.35 to 17.63 oz).
4. Habitat & Distribution
Manx Shearwaters are creatures of the open ocean, found across the North Atlantic. They breed on islands along the western coastlines of the United Kingdom and Ireland, particularly Wales, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, from which the species gets its name. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to South America, reaching as far as Argentina and Brazil. They prefer offshore habitats, seldom coming to land except to nest.
5. Interesting Facts
Manx Shearwaters are known for their long-distance migration habits, journeying up to 10,000 kilometers from their breeding sites to their wintering grounds. They are believed to live up to 50 years old or more in the wild, which is exceptionally long for a bird their size, and have proven capable of homing, returning to the same burrow year after year. Interestingly, they exhibit a certain degree of faithfulness not only to their breeding site but also to their mate, often mating with the same partner for life.
6. Diet
Their diet primarily consists of small fish, squids, and zooplankton, though they have also been known to eat shrimp.
7. Behavior & Sounds
During breeding season, Manx Shearwaters become nocturnal on colonies to avoid predation. They have a unique method of feeding, dipping their beaks and wings into the water while in flight to scoop up prey. Their call is a piercing and eerie wailing sound which can be quite haunting at night in large colonies.
8. Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the Manx Shearwater is currently of Least Concern, though they do face threats from marine pollution, climate change, and invasive predators at nesting sites.
9. Lifespan
Manx Shearwaters typically live up to 30-50 year in the wild, though some have been recorded to live longer. They are known to produce only one egg per breeding season, implying an investment in longevity over fecundity.
10. Additional Notes
In Welsh, the Manx Shearwater is known as ‘Aderyn Drycin Manaw’, a nod to the species’ distinctive churring call. Despite their intimidating night-time cries, these birds are relatively harmless to humans, though they do play a critical role in their ecosystem by contributing to the marine food chain and controlling prey populations. Their nesting habits also provide excellent opportunities for studies on seabird conservation and longevity.
