- Puffinus auricularis
Identification
33 cm. Black above and white below, black half-collar, black undertail-coverts and thighs, white flank patch extending to side of rump. Underwing black around leading and trailing borders sharply demarcated from central white areas.
Distribution
The nominate form breeds off Mexico on the Pacific side, newelli breeds in Hawaii, while myrtae breeds on Rapa Island (Austral Islands).
Taxonomy
Three subspecies are recognized
- auricularis
- newelli
- myrtae:
- Rapa Island
The latter is often called Newell's Shearwater and sometimes counted as a full species.
Habitat
Rocky burrows, bushy areas at forest edge.
Behaviour
It nests in rocky burrows.
