(Wedge- tailed Shearwater) 
7 
Gould, 
1963“ 
After about an hour the flock had become widely dispersed and by this time the 
birds were soaring (no wing flapping) over much larger areas than when actively 
feeding. 
We have noticed that these Shearwaters while hunting often rise 10-15 or 20 feet 
above the water surface while banking for a turn. While these birds were 
feeding they did not do this, but usually remained fairly close to the water. 
After the fish school had quit jumping and the flock was spreading out, some shearwaters 
could be seen going up as high as JO Or 40 feet while banking. This is probably 
so they can get a good look around to see where the fish school had gone by seeing where 
other birds were displaying actual feeding behavior as opposed to hunting behavior. 
Earlier in the day we had observed a Wedge- tail to glide up over 100' in 
the air then after a few seconds set its wing and glide down to the water surface. 
Septe mber 12- -Pacific Ocean, Grid Area 
1000. Flock of ca. 50+ Wedge-tails, 2 Dark-rumped Petrel, and 10+ Sooty Terns. 
Flock milling, not feeding. Many birds sit on water. 
Specimen measurements: 
Field 
Number 
Sex 
Weight 
Wing 
Tail 
Cul. 
Tar. 
Midtoe 
0356 
9 
336 
290 
145 
37-5 
50.1 
57-5 
0359 
9 
423 
273 
134 
36.7. 
47.0 
59-0 
0361 
9 
4o4 
278 
l4o 
37-9 
46.4 
60.3 
0362 
9 
4l 6 
275 
137 
broke 
38.3 
49.1 
57-7 
Watching flying bird it sat down alone in water. It was shortly joined by 
second, third, fourth fifth through tenth birds in rapid succession. Once saw a 
lone bird sitting in the water that was not joined by other birds. It still sat for 
several minutes befoe flying over to join flock sitting in water. Out of 50+ 
Shearwaters only one was dark-phased. 
