19 



hand, distinguishing a dark phase fulmar from a dark shearwater 

 (particularly Sooty Shearwater) does take some experience. A rounder 

 tarsus, and in many specimens, bluish or pale yellow-greenish feet, would 

 identify the bird as a fulmar. Identification should be confirmed with 

 someone experienced in identifying such specimens in the hand. 



SHEARWATERS (PROCELLARIIDAE, subfamily PUFFININAE) 



Except perhaps in the Bering Sea, shearwaters as a group are among the 

 most abundant seabirds, if not -the most abundant species, in waters off 

 western North American coasts. Their bodies and wings are quite similar 

 in proportion, size and shape to fulmars. Sometimes, especially in 

 headless specimens, the all dark shearwaters are hard to distinguish 

 from dark phase fulmars (see comments under Northern Fulmar). Otherwise 

 their longer, much more slender bill, much smaller nasal tube which is 

 clearly separated into two passages (Plate 5-5), and flatter-sided tarsi 

 separate them from any fulmar. Shearwaters are about the same general 

 size as many ducks and are smaller than the typical "sea gull". 



Shearwaters are rather conservative in coloration. Except for 

 Buller's Shearwater, those occurring here are dark brown above, and 

 dark brown or white below. Important characters to note are size, color 

 of bill and feet, and color of undertail and undenting coverts. 



PINK-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Puffinus creatopus; choice 18', pg. 30). 

 The light colored feet and bill and dark undertail coverts, in conjunction 

 with the dark upperparts and white breast and belly would separate a 

 specimen of this species from any other that could be encountered except 

 the much smaller Common Shearwater. Pink-footed Shearwaters occur here 

 mostly during summer and early fall but specimens have been found during 

 the winter. They are most abundant south of central California but have 

 been reported as far north as southeast Alaska, where they occur 

 regularly but in small numbers. 



FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Puffinus oameipes; choice 19, pg. 30) is 

 identical to the Pink-footed Shearwater except for its completely dark 

 underparts. Its occurrence patterns are also the same except that it is 

 far less numerous. Any specimen encountered should be saved. 



BULLER'S (NEW ZEALAND) SHEARWATER (Puffinus bulleri; choice 16, 

 pg. 29) is the only strikingly colored shearwater off this coast. It is 

 white below and pearl gray above except for a black cap and a black "W" 

 across its wings and back. In specimens of very worn plumage, it is 

 very similar to the Streaked Shearwater. The fact that the inner webs 

 of primaries are extensively white in Buller's Shearwater would separate 

 such specimens from the latter in which the inner webs are dark. 



