Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER from southeast AZ, USA / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Critically Endangered

Seabirds & Tubenoses

Newell’s Shearwater

Puffinus newelli

Newell's Shearwater (Puffinus newelli) — 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 Japan Birds of the United States Birds of California Birds of Hawaii

By family

Petrels & Shearwaters of Japan Petrels & Shearwaters of the United States Petrels & Shearwaters of California Petrels & Shearwaters of Hawaii

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The Newell’s Shearwater (Puffinus newelli) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 351 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

CR Critically Endangered

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 newelli

Where it lives

Lehua (north of Nihau), montane Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii (main Hawaiian Is.)

Oceans & Seabirds

Quick facts

Weight: 351 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Procellariidae
Order: Procellariiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Near Threatened

Black-vented Shearwater

Puffinus opisthomelas

Critically Endangered

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Newell’s Shearwater (Puffinus newelli) is a member of the Procellariidae family, within the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO Lehua (n of Nihau), montane Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii (main Hawaiian Is.).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 351 g, with a wing length of about 24.1 cm and a tail of around 9.1 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 12.5 million km² — a very large global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Newell’s Shearwater?

The Newell’s Shearwater is a large bird that weighs around 351 g.

Where does the Newell’s Shearwater live?

The Newell’s Shearwater is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO Lehua (n of Nihau), montane Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii (main Hawaiian Is.), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Newell’s Shearwater belong to?

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

What does the Newell’s Shearwater eat?

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

Does the Newell’s Shearwater migrate?

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

Is the Newell’s 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.

How large is the Newell’s Shearwater's range?

The Newell’s Shearwater has a mapped global range of about 12.5 million km².