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education: birds of georgia Audubon's Shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri
Status: Uncommon offshore, 12 Apr (1984) - 14 Dec (1984), over 40 records, mainly on Outer Shelf and in Gulf Stream. Accidental offshore in winter 13 Feb 1977 and 20 Feb 1983. High count: 117 on 21 Nov 1983 (O 49:13) (Beaton, et al, 2001). More study needed to determine true status; almost certainly a regular visitor to Georgia waters. In winter, care must be taken to separate species from Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus. Habitat: Open ocean, almost exclusively over warm waters; follows warm water of Gulf Stream north as far as New England in late summer and fall, seldom coming near land in North America, but found primarily along southeastern coast. Nests in colonies on coastal islands and in wooded areas further inland in Caribbean Islands. (Kaufman, 1996). Diet: Not well known, but apparently mostly squid and small fish taken by swimming and diving under water. Also takes prey from surface while swimming. Probably feeds at night as well as by day. (Kaufman, 1996). Identification: Our smallest shearwater, blackish above, but not as dark as Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus, appearing somewhat browner than Manx on upper parts. Undertail coverts partly dark, although this mark is difficult to see on flying bird and the amount of dark feathers in coverts varies. Undertail coverts never bright white as in Manx. Wings are shorter and more rounded and tail longer than in Manx. Face whiter than Manx, with a white spot in front of the eye and the eye positioned within the white of face. The eye of Manx is wholly surrounded by black feathers. On swimming bird, tail projects beyond wingtips. In flight, wingbeats are more rapid than Manx and flight trajectory is lower, without as much gliding as in Manx. (Sibley, 2000 and pers. obs.) At sea, wing shape and flight style are best marks. On resting bird, look for face pattern and undertail covert color. Conservation: May be in decline due to disturbance from development on nesting islands in Caribbean. Formerly common nester in Bermuda but disappeared in the 1980's. Lays only one egg per nesting season in underground burrow, in rock crevice or under thick vegetation on ground. Vulnerable to rat predation. Preservation of nesting habitat needed.
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