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As a breeding bird this species is confined to the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean with the bulk of the population in colonies on the west coasts of [[Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. There are smaller colonies to the north in southern [[Iceland]]; the [[Faroes]] and [[Lofoten Islands]] off [[Norway]]. Also breeds in the [[Channel Islands]] and off north-west and western [[France]]. In the Mediterranean there are colonies on the [[Balearics]], and off southern [[Spain]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and [[Malta]] and there is a single colony in the Aegean. Breeding formerly occurred off [[Tunisia]] and has been reported from [[Canary Islands]] and Desertas but present status there is little-known. May also breed in [[Morocco]].
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As a breeding bird this species is confined to the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean with the bulk of the population in colonies on the west coasts of [[Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. There are smaller colonies to the north in southern [[Iceland]]; the [[Faroes]] and [[Lofoten Islands]] off [[Norway]]. Also breeds in the [[Channel Islands]] and off north-west and western [[France]]. In the Mediterranean there are colonies on the [[Balearics]], and off southern [[Spain]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and [[Malta]] and there is a single colony in the Aegean. Breeding formerly occurred off [[Tunisia]] and has been reported from [[Canary Islands]] and Desertas but present status there is little-known. May also breed in [[Morocco]]. It is not known where they spend the winter season.
==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
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There are 2 subspecies.
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There are 2 subspecies:
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*''pelagicus'' in the Atlantic
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*''militensis'' in the Mediterranean
==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Breeds mainly on islands, sometimes on undisturbed mainland coasts.
Breeds mainly on islands, sometimes on undisturbed mainland coasts.
Revision as of 02:58, 5 February 2010
Photo by boiler Photographed: Sapphire Isles of Scilly Pelagic
As a breeding bird this species is confined to the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean with the bulk of the population in colonies on the west coasts of Britain and Ireland. There are smaller colonies to the north in southern Iceland; the Faroes and Lofoten Islands off Norway. Also breeds in the Channel Islands and off north-west and western France. In the Mediterranean there are colonies on the Balearics, and off southern Spain, Corsica and Sardinia, Sicily and Malta and there is a single colony in the Aegean. Breeding formerly occurred off Tunisia and has been reported from Canary Islands and Desertas but present status there is little-known. May also breed in Morocco. It is not known where they spend the winter season.
Taxonomy
There are 2 subspecies:
pelagicus in the Atlantic
militensis in the Mediterranean
Habitat
Breeds mainly on islands, sometimes on undisturbed mainland coasts.
Pelagic when not breeding and rarely seen from shore, only seen on land after being storm-driven.
Behaviour
Breeding
Breeds colonially in burrows and rock crevices. 1 white egg is laid. Nocturnal when visiting nest.
The diet includes plankton taken from the sea's surface.
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