Boyd’s Shearwater

Puffinus boydi

Boyd's Shearwater (Puffinus boydi) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

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Birds of Spain

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Petrels & Shearwaters of Spain

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The Boyd’s Shearwater (Puffinus boydi) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 226 g.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels
Genus Puffinus
Species boydi

Where it lives

Cape Verde Is. (except Maio; extinct Sal)

Oceans & Seabirds

Quick facts

Weight: 226 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Procellariidae
Order: Procellariiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Boyd’s 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 Boyd’s Shearwater is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Boyd’s Shearwater (Puffinus boydi) is a member of the Procellariidae family, within the order Procellariiformes. It is found across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers AO Cape Verde Is. (except Maio; extinct Sal).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 226 g, with a wing length of about 18 cm and a tail of around 6.7 cm.

Songs & calls

Boyd’s Shearwater — Flight call, nocturnal flight call, song

Recorded by Magnus Robb Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Boyd’s Shearwater?

The Boyd’s Shearwater is a large bird that weighs around 226 g.

Where does the Boyd’s Shearwater live?

The Boyd’s Shearwater is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering AO Cape Verde Is. (except Maio; extinct Sal), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Boyd’s Shearwater belong to?

The Boyd’s Shearwater (Puffinus boydi) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.

What does the Boyd’s Shearwater eat?

The Boyd’s Shearwater hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Boyd’s Shearwater migrate?

The Boyd’s Shearwater is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

What sound does the Boyd’s Shearwater make?

1 real field recording of the Boyd’s Shearwater — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.