Shearwater Identification

I'm excited to post pictures Steve brought back from his recent offshore trip to Georges Bank.

I'm having a lot of trouble identifying one of the seabirds though. I have zero experience with Shearwaters (or any pelagics for that matter), but Manx Shearwaters are a common sighting off Revere Beach right now so Shearwaters are at the forefront of my mind.

Looking at my guidebooks and pictures online Audubon's Shearwater looks like a close match. *UPDATE: Thanks to Steve from Shooting My Universe for the tip that this is likely a Manx. He lives in Gloucester and I consider him an expert on sea birds. Thanks Steve!

I also could be completely off- these might not be Shearwaters at all. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Comments

Dawn Fine said…

I have never seen a shearwater..so i cant help out. what a great trip he had..have you ever gone?

June 25, 2009 at 4:11:00 AM PDT

Anonymous said…

If someone put a gun to my head, I'd say Manx, based on the length to wingspand ratio, the under wing coloration and the pattern about the face and neck. Definately a "shoot first and ask questions later" bird.

June 27, 2009 at 10:15:00 AM PDT

Cathleen Voss said…

@Dawn- No, I can't go with him off-shore, but I might see if I can go out on a lobster trip sometime. He's offered that before- I think that would be fun.

@Steve- Thanks for your insight! I had a feeling you would be helpful on this since you're so familiar with seabirds.

July 6, 2009 at 8:06:00 AM PDT

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