Black-vented Shearwater

This species is pelagic, occurring in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. It comes closer to land than most other shearwaters, so it sometimes can be seen from shore. It predominantly nests on offshore islands off north and western Baja California, namely Isla de Guadalupe, Islas San Benito and Isla Natividad. It is fairly common off the United States coast of central and southern California during the country's colder months.

The Black-vented Shearwater is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

The Black-vented Shearwater (Puffinus opisthomelas) is a species of seabird. The bird is 30-38 cm in size, with a 76-89 cm wingspan. Formerly considered a subspecies of the Manx Shearwater, its actual relationships are unresolved. This species is pelagic, occurring in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California. It comes closer to land than most other shearwaters, so it sometimes can be seen from shore. More

The small Black-vented Shearwater is named for the dark under-tail coverts that distinguish it from closely related "white-vented shearwaters." Its coastal foraging habits and erratic post-breeding dispersal are also different than that of many other shearwaters. Appearance: Our smallest Pacific shearwater, the Black-vented is 14 inches long, has a wingspan of 34 inches and weighs 9 ounces (270 grams). The Black-vented Shearwater is named for the dark feathers under its tail. More

The Black-vented Shearwater is a seabird found in the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California in North America. It typically nests on offshore islands near north and west Baja California. Specific islands inhabited by the Black-vented Shearwater are Isla de Guadalupe, Islas San Benito and Isla Natividad. In winter months, this species may migrate short distances to the coasts of central and southern California. They normally feed on fish, and nest in burrows and caves. More

Black-vented Shearwater adult, in flight. Figure 1. Distribution of the Black-vented Shearwater. This small shearwater, endemic to the Pacific Coast of North America, is named for the dark under tail-coverts that separate it from other closely related “white-vented shearwaters” in the genus Puffinus . Like most other Puffinus species, the Black-vented Shearwater is nocturnal when visiting land. More

Black-vented Shearwater is thought to feed on mainly small fish. This bird nests in burrows and caves; it is a colonial nester. In the past, this bird had been threatened by feral cats and other predators on its breeding islands, but the problem seems to have been largely eliminated. More

Unlike many other shearwaters, the Black-vented Shearwater is a coastal species, most often seen within 25 km of land. It breeds only on remote desert islands off the Pacific Coast of Baja California, within productive up-welling zones of the California Current. The islands are characterized by having little vegetation and no native mammalian predators. A large percentage of the population nests on a single island, Natividad, Baja California Sur, where numbers are estimated at some 75,000 pairs. More

Black-vented Shearwaters are found commonly from the breeding grounds north to Point Conception (34� 50' N) and south to Cabo San Lucas (23� N) and are possibly regular south along the coast of mainland Mexico (Jehl 1974) to near the Gulf of Tehuantepec (Figure 2). Lack of field work in the Figure 2. Distribution of Puffinus opisthomelas. Star indicates the only locality of extralimital occurrence documented with specimens. More

Black-vented Shearwater,adult in flight More

Black-vented Shearwater (#2 of 5) Black-vented Shearwater (#2 of 5) Black-vented Sheaarwater (#3 of 5) Black-vented Sheaarwater (#3 of 5) Black-vented Shearwater (#4 of 5) Black-vented Shearwater (#4 of 5) Black-vented Shearwater (#5 of 5) Black-vented Shearwater (#5 of 5) click on thumbnails for full image More

Black-vented Shearwater, Just NW of Noyo Harbor, Mendocino Co. More

Black-vented Shearwater was my 702nd ABA Area bird on my lifelist. To take full advantage of Flickr, you should use a JavaScript-enabled browser and install the latest version of the Macromedia Flash Player. Comments view profile GypsyFae Pro User says: Awesome! Posted 6 days ago. More

Flying close to the waves, the Black-vented Shearwater's flight is more fluttery than that of other shearwaters. It feeds by snatching food from the waters surface and sometimes by diving. Its diet includes small fish and crustaceans. Appearance: Blackish-brown above. White underparts and wing linings. Underwings have a brown-black tailing edge. Brown-black undertail coverts. Black bill. Pink feet. Sexes similar. 12.5 to 15 inches in length. Habitat: Open ocean; pelagic. More

the endemic Black-vented Shearwater on Natividad Island. Research by Brad Keitt, an Island Conservation biologist, discovered that nearly 1,000 Black-vented Shearwaters were dying each month during breeding season. At this rate, the shearwater would become extinct in 5-20 years. Brad’s research showed that the Black-vented Shearwater population was severely threatened by feral cats, which had been recently introduced to the island and had become a top predator. More

Black-vented Shearwater: A presentation of bird photographs, songs, identification tips, distribution maps, and life history information for North American birds, and a forum for ... http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/htmid/h0930id.html Black-vented Shearwater Identification tips: Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas. Identification Tips: Sexes similar; Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed; Often ... http://birding.about.com/library/fg/blfg-puffinusopisthomelas.htm Virtual Bird Field Guide - Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus ...: Search. Birding / Wild Birds Black-vented Shearwater. Puffinus opisthomelas. Range and Habitat. Open ocean. More