Scopoli's Shearwater

Calonectris diomedea (Scopoli, 1769)

Scopoli's Shearwater, Calonectris diomedea, is a seabird of the Procellariidae family that breeds on islands in the Mediterranean and in south-west France. Outside the breeding season it ranges across the Atlantic, reaching the Gulf Stream in temperate western waters, the eastern Caribbean, eastern South America, and waters off western and southern Africa and southern Madagascar. It nests on islands and steep coasts, and is best recognised by its pale yellow bill with a dark mark near the tip. The sexes look alike. It was first described by Scopoli in 1769.

Order

Procellariiformes

Family

Procellariidae — Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels

Breeding range

Atlantic Ocean: islands of Mediterranean and sw France

Nonbreeding range

to Gulf Stream of temperate w Atlantic, off e Caribbean and ec South America to w, s African and s Malagasy waters