Unidentified Shearwater (1 Viewer)

I recently saw this bird on a pelagic cruise, along with quite a few other birders, and it's causing quite a bit of interest among those that saw it. Originally it was identified as a Little Shearwater based off the white eyebrow which extends from the back, above the eye, through to the front of the eye.

Later on, it was ruled out because of the underwing pattern and the shape of the bird (longer winged etc).

Some of the local guides called Manx Shearwater after the fact, while other experts belonging to the rarities committee aren't sure as the strong white extending above the eye doesn't fit in with what you'd expect with a Manx.

I'd be interested in seeing what everyone's thoughts are. I will omit location for now to first see what people's first instincts are based off the visuals

I have seen a definite Manx Shearwater with white above the eye in the Bay of Biscay so they do exist. It had me going initially but structurally and the rest of the plumage were spot on for Manx Sheatwater.

Cheers

Roy

Hi Bryn and Tring,
Had a similar experience to this. Would not try to make any definitive statements from the photographs. Surmising your photo however the photo does suggest a long winged, Audubon's Shearwater. You and your group seem to be implying that Audubon's underwing in these conditions would photograph darker, which I would agree with . Suggest your undisclosed location is the other side of the South Atlantic from mine, which is off Argentina. Do not doubt a manx could show a white line above the eye. Point of fact, ask even keen sea watchers what colour foot a manx shearwater has, ie. neutral grey, bright or dull pink or even a very light blue and wait for the answer.

Bryon Wright said:

Hi Bryn and Tring,
Had a similar experience to this. Would not try to make any definitive statements from the photographs. Surmising your photo however the photo does suggest a long winged, Audubon's Shearwater. You and your group seem to be implying that Audubon's underwing in these conditions would photograph darker, which I would agree with . Suggest your undisclosed location is the other side of the South Atlantic from mine, which is off Argentina. Do not doubt a manx could show a white line above the eye. Point of fact, ask even keen sea watchers what colour foot a manx shearwater has, ie. neutral grey, bright or dull pink or even a very light blue and wait for the answer.

Click to expand...

The word "Audubon's Shearwater" are ones that are being kept inside the mouths of most here looking at this bird. The bird in question was photographed just south of Cape Town, South Africa. Far from the range of Audubon's Shearwater. Well within the general range of Manx, but upon first look it does look more like an Audubon's than a Manx (to me at least).

I suspect however, that the bird may end up going down as an unconfirmed bird.