Balearic or Sooty Shearwater

[Geoff F]

Newcomer and just trying to double check on correct names for some photos before offering to the Gallery.

Could someone please confirm that these images are a Balearic Shearwater not a Sooty. Some of my local experts can't agree. Also I can't find the Latin name. Photos taken last summer off Prawle Point, South Devon. These birds aren't common but we see several every year in ones or twos while hauling crabpots. They fly right up to the boat with a rather irregular flapping flight and stick their heads underwater to look for food. When they see a scrap of old bait they swim down, like a Guillemot. Sometimes they come up underneath the Herring Gulls and pinch the food from below. It really surprises the gulls.

Very tame birds, I was hand feeding this one with scraps of bait. More images available if you want different views. As I understand it the Sooty Shearwaters fly on rather stiff narrow wings and are much darker underneath. We see them occasionally but so far none has waited to be photographed. They just fly past.

Can I add more than one image to a question or do I have to add other photos in the form of a reply?

[Geoff F]

Trying to add another photo. I lost them somewhere in the Unidentified Files for a while, but see if this works now.

[paulchandler6]

Geoff, Am pretty sure its not Sooty. The underwing of Sooty does not show that much white and should have dark axillaries. Also a few other points, I feel make it not a Sooty.
Balearic should also show some dark on the axillaries as well but less so than Sooty. Looks to me like a juvenile bird. Have you got any flight shots?

Paul

[aeshna5]

Definitely not Sooty. I think it's a juv. Manx Shearwater.

[MagpieMick]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

Definitely not Sooty. I think it's a juv. Manx Shearwater.

I'm with Manx Shearwater , the under wing with no or very little markings is Manx...

Have you got more photo's showing more of the underwing ???

Mick..

[Adam Cheeseman]

Looks like a Manx. The underwings are too light and contrasting for a Balearic and it's definitely not a Sooty. I was at Prawle last May and that was during a passage where several hundred were going past each day.

Cheers,

Adam

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Also I can't find the Latin name.

I wouldn't know one shearwater from another, but here are the latin names - wikipedia is a very quick and easy source for binomials when you are next stuck and I think my list came from BTO.


Fulmar Fulmaris glacialis
Soft-plumaged petrel Pterodroma mollis
Capped petrel Pterodroma hasitata
Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea
Great shearwater Puffinus gravis
Sooty shearwater Puffinus griseus
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Yelkouan shearwater Puffinus (puffinus) yelkouan
Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus
Little shearwater Puffinus assimilis
Wilson's petrel Oceanites oceanites
White-faced storm petrel Pelagodroma marina
Storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Madeiran petrel Oceanodroma castro
Leach's storm petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa

[big bill]

Just finished checking and to me it looks like the Manz Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)

[Geoff F]

Im sure it isn't a Manx. I see them passing most days and they never stop and behave like these birds. These fly and act totally differently. I did think this was possibly a juvenile by the pale colour of the head and bill, also it acted liked a youngster.

Another photo, of a different bird but same make, included with clearer view of the upper wing.

[paulchandler6]

I would still go for a Manx. What makes you feel it could be a Balearic or even a Sooty?

Cheers

Paul