Species Profile
Sooty Shearwater
Ardenna grisea
Sooty Shearwater
Quick Facts
Conservation
NTNear ThreatenedAlso known as: Tītī, Muttonbird
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Appearance
The Sooty Shearwater is a medium-sized seabird with dark brown-grey plumage above and lighter grey underparts. Its long, narrow wings and streamlined body are adaptations for efficient gliding over vast ocean distances.
Slight scaling is shown on the upper wings, and a wide white bar is visible on the underside of the wings, which are narrow and pointed.
Both sexes look alike, with a slender, dark bill and black legs and feet, which are dull pink to grey. Juveniles resemble adults but may have slightly paler underwings.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Black
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Sooty Shearwaters have a vast range, breeding on islands in the Southern Hemisphere and migrating to the North Pacific and North Atlantic. They nest in burrows on coastal cliffs and forested slopes of offshore islands.
During non-breeding seasons, they are found across open oceans worldwide. They can be observed off the coasts of New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and both coasts of North America.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
Diet
Sooty Shearwaters primarily feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans.
They hunt by diving into the water, using their wings to 'fly' underwater and catch prey at depths of up to 68 meters. They also scavenge behind fishing vessels, taking advantage of discarded fish.
Behaviour
Sooty Shearwaters are renowned for their incredible long-distance migrations, covering up to 64,000 km (around 39,700 miles) annually. They are highly pelagic, spending most of their lives at sea and coming to land only to breed.
These birds are often seen in large flocks, skimming low over the waves in a distinctive, effortless flight pattern.
Calls & Sounds
At breeding colonies, Sooty Shearwaters produce a variety of vocalisations. Their most distinctive call is a cat-like wailing 'coooo-roo-oo' often heard at night, as well as from within their underground nesting burrows during incubation or nest defence.
They also make grunting and croaking sounds when interacting on the ground. At sea, they are generally silent.
Nesting & Breeding
Sooty Shearwaters form long-term pair bonds and return to the same breeding colonies each year. The breeding season begins in October in the Southern Hemisphere. Breeding grounds regularly host more than 2.5 million pairs each year, and colonies are established up to 1,500 m (5,000 ft) above sea level.
They nest in burrows dug into soil, reaching a length of up to 3 m, on coastal slopes or under vegetation. Females lay a single white egg, which both parents incubate for about 53 days.
Chicks fledge after 86-109 days, usually in April or May. Parents alternate between incubation shifts (between 4 and 9 days) and long foraging trips to sustain themselves and their chick.
Conservation
Sooty Shearwaters face threats from climate change, ocean pollution, and accidental bycatch in fishing gear.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites, reducing plastic pollution in oceans, and implementing seabird-friendly fishing practices to minimise bycatch incidents.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Sooty Shearwaters from coastal headlands during their migration periods
- Observe their characteristic low, gliding flight just above the waves
- Join pelagic birding trips for the best chances of close-up views
- In New Zealand, visit breeding colonies on offshore islands during the nesting season
Did You Know?
- Sooty Shearwaters can dive to depths of over 60 meters to catch prey.
- They are known as 'muttonbirds' in New Zealand due to their historical use as a food source.
- Their annual migration of 64,000 km (around 39,700 miles) is one of the longest recorded for any bird species.
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