Appearance:

Fairly small shearwater with jet black upperparts, and pure white underparts. Armpits often with dark markings. White notch behind wing base. Distinguished from Yelkouan and Balearic Shearwater by the always pure white vent. Faint, white wedge behind ear coverts. Legs do not protrude behind the tail. Flight typical of family: Rapid, shallow and stiff wing-beats, with alternating glides. Sometimes with only the primaries moving.

Sound:

Vocal at breeding ground. The call is sharp and wailing, and consist of two parts. A drawn, "inhalation", is immediately followed by a trisyllabic "ka-ya-ya".

Song:

Distribution:

Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-sound:david m, Licence,Link.

CC-photos:Jean-Pierre R., Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Smaller and more delicate than Crane. Front of neck and chest black, with long plumes. Immatures show only faint black markings on neck and head. Upper wing lacks pale patch close to alula, and show little contrast between secondary and primary coverts. Easily mistaken for Crane in flight if black chest is not visible. Identification by call then helpful. Wing beats significantly faster than in Crane.

Sound:

Recalls Crane but timbre very dry, almost rasping and pitch higher.

Call:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-sound:Oscar Campbell, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:yann coatanéa, Licence,Link.