Pink-footed Shearwater vs Flesh-footed Shearwater

In short

The Pink-footed Shearwater and Flesh-footed Shearwater can be distinguished by their bill color and plumage. The Pink-footed Shearwater has a pale pinkish bill with a dark tip, while the Flesh-footed Shearwater has a uniformly pale pink bill. Both species are similar in size and structure.

Identification tips

• Bill color: Look for the pale pinkish bill with a dark tip on the Pink-footed Shearwater.
• Plumage: Note the white belly of the Pink-footed Shearwater compared to the more uniformly dark Flesh-footed Shearwater.
• Location: Consider the likelihood of encountering Pink-footed Shearwaters near continental shelf breaks.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of medium-sized shearwaters.

Plumage

The Pink-footed Shearwater has a dusky brown upper body with a paler underbody and a distinctive white belly, whereas the Flesh-footed Shearwater is more uniformly dark with a slightly paler underwing.

Behaviour

Both species exhibit similar foraging behavior, often seen in association with other seabirds and marine predators.

Habitat

Both species are pelagic and can be found over continental shelves and deep offshore waters. The Pink-footed Shearwater is more likely to be seen near the continental shelf break during nonbreeding periods.

Voice

Vocalizations are not a reliable field mark for distinguishing these two species.