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Inspiring and Supporting Photographers of Australian Birds

Fluttering Shearwater

Fluttering Shearwater (Image ID 30716)
Photographed byIan Wilson on Sun 4th Mar, 2018 and uploaded on Mon 28th May, 2018 .
Resolution1400x903
Viewed223
ID30716
CommentFluttering Shearwater
Scientific Name = Puffinus gavia
Wingspan = 75 - 77cm
Conservation status (BWL) = Least Concern

This species was misidentified as Buller’s Shearwater x2, Subantarctic Shearwater x1, Hutton’s Shearwater x3, Manx Shearwater x1

The Fluttering Shearwater (FLSH) is distinguishable from the Buller’s Shearwater (BUSH) by upperwing colour. BUSHs have a pale grey mantle, uppertail coverts and secondary and greater secondary coverts. FLSHs have brown-to-grey upperwings.

The FLSH is distinguishable from the Subantarctic Shearwater (SUSH) by white edging to the greater secondary coverts and sometimes the median coverts.

The FLSH is distinguishable from the Hutton’s Shearwater (HUSH) by ‘saddlebags’. HUSHs have all-white flanks that extend onto the sides of the rump.

The FLSH is distinguishable from the Manx Shearwater (MASH) by the markings on the head. MASHs have a black cap that comes just below the eye on the side of the neck with a small upwards ‘notch’ behind the ear and FLSHs don’t.

Some other identifying features are:

- Long thin bill
- White throat and breast
- Wedge-tipped tail
- Dark part-collar
LocationOffshore from Green Cape, New South Wales
Keywordsin flight, adult
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