A bit of an odd shearwater, Western Australia (1 Viewer)

G’day Chaps,

I photographed this bird at 20 32 S, 113 37 E (in the Indian Ocean roughly off NW Cape). These photos were taken over a 15 second period.

To me it doesn’t match any of the classic Wedge-tailed Shearwater morphs - its underparts are paler than I would expect from a dark morph, but darker than the usual pale morph. The darker head plumage also extends to its chin. It might be the light, but the feet look a bit dark. It’s nasal area appears a bit strange for a Wedge-tailed. I’m not sure what is going on with its tail - the outer feathers appear to be short, giving it the stepped look similar that referred to in the description of Jouanin’s Petrel - perhaps it is something to do with the moult sequence …

What do you think?

Regards, Laurie.

Hi Laurie,

looks fine for a Wedge-tailed Shearwater. What time of year was it taken? Birds returning in August/September are in fresh plumage and often have a silvery sheen to them making them look a bit silvery.

Cheers,

Rob

G'day Rob

Thanks and sorry for the delay in replying - I photographed the bird at the end of October.

Regards, Laurie