Galapagos Shearwater

Puffinus subalaris

Galapagos Shearwater (Puffinus subalaris) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Colombia Birds of Costa Rica Birds of Ecuador Birds of Mexico

By family

Petrels & Shearwaters of Colombia Petrels & Shearwaters of Costa Rica Petrels & Shearwaters of Ecuador Petrels & Shearwaters of Mexico

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The Galapagos Shearwater (Puffinus subalaris) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 168 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

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

Where it lives

Islets off Wolf (=Wenman), Santa Cruz (=Indefatigable), Campeon (=Champion, northeast of Floreana), Islote Pitt (northeast of San Cristobal=Chatham) and Espanola (=Hood; Galápagos)

Oceans & Seabirds

Quick facts

Weight: 168 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Procellariidae
Order: Procellariiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Galapagos Shearwater hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

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

The Galapagos Shearwater (Puffinus subalaris) belongs to the Procellariidae family of the order Procellariiformes. Its range spans Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO islets off Wolf (=Wenman), Santa Cruz (=Indefatigable), Campeon (=Champion, ne of Floreana), Islote Pitt (ne of San Cristobal=Chatham) and Espanola (=Hood; Galápagos).

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 168 g, with a wing length of about 18.6 cm and a tail of around 7.1 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 5.7 million km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Galapagos Shearwater?

The Galapagos Shearwater is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 168 g.

Where does the Galapagos Shearwater live?

The Galapagos Shearwater is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO islets off Wolf (=Wenman), Santa Cruz (=Indefatigable), Campeon (=Champion, ne of Floreana), Islote Pitt (ne of San Cristobal=Chatham) and Espanola (=Hood; Galápagos), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Galapagos Shearwater belong to?

The Galapagos Shearwater (Puffinus subalaris) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.

What does the Galapagos Shearwater eat?

The Galapagos Shearwater hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Galapagos Shearwater migrate?

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

Is the Galapagos Shearwater endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Galapagos Shearwater's range?

The Galapagos Shearwater has a mapped global range of about 5.7 million km².