What does a shearwater eat?

What kind of bird is a Cory’s shearwater?

The Cory’s Shearwater ( Calonectris diomedea) is a large shearwater in the seabird family Procellariidae. This bird was named after the American ornithologist Charles B. Cory. This species breeds on islands and cliffs in the Mediterranean, with the odd outpost on the Atlantic coast of Iberia.

Is Cory’s shearwater the same as Scopoli’s shearwater?

Once considered two subspecies, (the Mediterranean C. d. diomedea, and the Atlantic C. d. borealis ), Scopoli’s shearwater and Cory’s shearwater are now split into two distinct species. They are similar in appearance, although the Atlantic species is larger with a stouter bill.

How can you tell the difference between shearwaters?

Also note little contrast between the brown head and white throat (compare with distinct capped appearance of Great Shearwater). Lazier wingbeats than other large shearwaters, especially in calm conditions; wings look crooked with wrists pushed forward in flight. Forms mixed flocks with other shearwaters, especially when feeding.

What does a Cory shearwater look like?

Cory’s Shearwater – eBird Large, lumbering shearwater. Diagnostic yellow bill is often visible from quite a long distance. Look for warm pale brown upperparts and clean white belly and underwings. Also note little contrast between the brown head and white throat (compare with distinct capped appearance of Great Shearwater).

How can you tell a great shearwater off Scilly?

Great Shearwater (at sea off Scilly, 8 August 2014). The slim, dark bill and dark cap readily identify this bird as a Great Shearwater, but note also how the white neck sides once again catch the light – this would be the most obvious feature at long range.

How do you identify a Cory’s shearwater?

Cory’s Shearwater (at sea off Scilly, 28 July 2014). This bird’s stout yellow bill and softly brown-washed head readily identify it as a Cory’s Shearwater. Note how the lack of contrasts about the head never result in the prominent white neck sides that can be so obvious on Great Shearwater.

How hard is it to identify species?

If you’re just starting out with birdwatching, you may feel that species identification is overwhelmingly complex and difficult. If you start out slow, you’ll have early successes that will let you practice without crushing your spirits. One good way to start is by learning to tell the difference between falcons and hawks.

Where can I find information on birding on Scilly?

Welcome to the Isles of Scilly Bird Group website, the hub for bird and wildlife sightings on Scilly. Check out what’s been seen, and find out information on birding on the islands, our work, membershipand our Bird and Natural History Review. You can also see which bird species require a description on Scilly.

What is the difference between a great shearwater and sooty?

Great Shearwater has a slimmer-based wing with a narrower, more tapering ‘hand’ and holds its wings straight out from the body. It also has a more rapid, stiff-winged, rather mechanical flight action, in this respect resembling much more closely a Sooty or Manx Shearwater.

What does a Cory’s shearwater look like?

Here are photos of typical Cory’s Shearwaters ( C. borealis) – note the extensive dark tip to the wing with little or no white on primaries 6-9, and none on p10 (which is the key feature): © Martin Lofgren – Wild Bird Gallery.com

How do you identify a yellow bill fish?

Diagnostic yellow bill is often visible from quite a long distance. Look for warm pale brown upperparts and clean white belly and underwings. Also note little contrast between the brown head and white throat (compare with distinct capped appearance of Great Shearwater).

What does a Shearwater fly like?

Cory’s Shearwaters flight is relaxed, low, very close to the sea and weaving its body through the waves, rarely beating its wings. Under strong winds, it flies higher describing consecutive ‘U’s and when coming lower it seems that it almost touches the surface.

How to identify birds before you see them?

Give yourself a head start in identification by being prepared. Doing some basic research about the species likely to be found in the habitats / areas you plan to visit, and the time of year those species are present, will narrow down the list of likely options when an unfamiliar bird pops up in front of you.

How hard is it to identify flying birds?

Flying birds, especially when seen from a distance, can be particularly difficult to identify. Although it can be relatively easy to identify large, slow-flying birds, passerines in flight are often quite challenging, especially for the beginning birder; in fact, some species of warbler and sparrow have never been photographed well in flight.

How do I learn new species of birds?

Start with a small number of species, perhaps 5 or 6 common garden / woodland birds, and work hard to commit these to memory before tackling ‘new’ species. Listen to recordings, e.g. on websites such as www.xeno-canto.org. Again, start with a small selection of commonly-encountered species and try to learn these well before taking on new ones.

What should I look for in a photo of a bird?

Once the bird is in flight, study its overall shape, including its various wing shapes, the cadence of its wingbeats, and the features of its plumage that show up clearly at a distance. Because these aspects of flying birds are difficult to convey in still photographs, they are best learned with patience and practice in the field.

How do you identify a bird by its structure?

Some birds can be identified by a distinctive structural feature, such as the spatulate bill of Roseate Spoonbill. The structural features of the head and the size and shape of the body provide crucial information for the identification of many species.

Where can I find information on birding on the Isles of Scilly?

Welcome to the Isles of Scilly Bird Group website, the hub for bird and wildlife sightings on Scilly. Check out what’s been seen, and find out information on birding on the islands, our work, membershipand our Bird and Natural History Review. You can also see which bird species require a description on Scilly. What’s about?

Is there a goosander on Scilly?

Sunday (21/11) Goosander – A female was in Old Town Bay before flying off over the airfield, this is a scarce bird on Scilly Siberian Chiffchaff – 3 Porth Hellick and 2 Lower Moors. Firecrest – 2 Porth Hellick.

Where can I find birding information in Hugh Town?

So, visiting birders head for the ISBG bird board outside the back door of the Pilot’s Gig restaurant next to the quay in Hugh Town. This board displays all the information recorded for that and the previous day, specifying the birds and their approximate locations.

How many species of birds live in Scilly?

Over the years Scilly has developed an enviable reputation as Europe’s premier rarity locality, being a magnet for birds originating from all points of the compass. To date almost 450 species have been recorded (447 in accordance with the IOC list which was adopted on 1st January 2018).

What is the difference between Cory’s and Cape Verde shearwater?

The Cape Verde shearwater C. edwardsii ( Oustalet, 1883) was once considered a subspecies of Cory’s shearwater but has recently been split off as a separate species ( Snow, Perrins & Gillmor 1998 ). It is endemic to the Cape Verde Islands. It has an all dark, slim bill, and darker head and upperparts than Cory’s.

What is the shape of a sea bird?

Many other species are found in seas worldwide. They are long-bodied, quite large-tailed birds, with broad wings and long necks, and a general shape somewhere between divers and geese. They have short, thick legs, showing a relationship to gannets by the fact that webs join all four toes.