The Streaked Shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas, is a species of seabird.
Description
The bird is 48 cm in size, with a 122 cm wingspan.
This species is pelagic (over sea), but also occurs in inshore waters.
Distribution
It occurs in the Pacific Ocean, nesting in Japan and many of its offshore islands. After breeding, the Streaked Shearwater will migrate toward southern Australia. It has been reported well off the west coast of the United States.
Diet / Feeding
The Streaked Shearwater feds mainly on fish and squid. It does follow fishing boats, attracted to anchovy crawls off Japan.
Nesting
Streaked Shearwater uses burrows to nest in. It prefers forested hills.
Status
This bird is abundant and widespread, however some mortality occurs through becoming entangled in fishing nets, and from some predation by cats and rats.
In addition, it is harvested by some traditional endemic human cultures.
References
- BirdLife International (2004). Calonectris leucomelas. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern,and the criteria used
- “National Geographic” Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0-7922-6877-6
- Seabirds, an Identification Guide by Peter Harrison, (1983) ISBN 0-7470-1410-8
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Vol 1, Josep del Hoyo editor, ISBN 84-87334-10-5
