Shearwaters and Petrels

Shearwaters and petrels are medium to large seabirds with tube-shaped nostrils on top of their beaks. This helps them get rid of salt and find food by smell. They have strong, stiff wings and often glide close to the surface of the water, with very little flapping. Their feathers are usually dark on top and light underneath, although some are all dark. Their beaks are hooked to help catch slippery food. These birds live across all the world’s oceans and only come to land to breed. Most of them nest in holes in the ground or in cracks in rocks on remote islands. They visit their breeding areas at night to avoid predators. Several types of shearwaters and petrels are commonly seen in British waters, especially in the Atlantic and North Sea during migration times. They eat fish, squid, and crustaceans. They often follow fishing boats or gather where ocean currents bring food close to the surface.