Balearic Shearwater
Puffinus mauretanicus
Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 16 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 497 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Procellariiformes
- Family Procellariidae Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels
- Genus Puffinus
- Species mauretanicus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 497 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Balearic Shearwater hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Balearic Shearwater is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) is a species of bird in the Procellariidae family, part of the order Procellariiformes. Its range spans Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers AO islets of Balearic Is. (w Mediterranean Sea).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 497 g, with a wing length of about 24.2 cm and a tail of around 7 cm.
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 3.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Balearic Shearwater?
The Balearic Shearwater is a large bird that weighs around 497 g.
Where does the Balearic Shearwater live?
The Balearic Shearwater is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering AO islets of Balearic Is. (w Mediterranean Sea), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Balearic Shearwater belong to?
The Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Balearic Shearwater eat?
The Balearic Shearwater hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Balearic Shearwater migrate?
The Balearic Shearwater is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Balearic Shearwater endangered?
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Balearic Shearwater make?
1 real field recording of the Balearic Shearwater — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Balearic Shearwater's range?
The Balearic Shearwater has a mapped global range of about 3.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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