Grey Shearwater

The Grey Petrel is a member of the Procellaria genus, and in turn is member of the Procellariidae family, and the Procellariiformes order. As a member of the Procellariiformes, they share certain identifying features. First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called naricorns. Although the nostrils on the Prion are on top of the upper bill. The bills of Procellariiformes are also unique in that they are split into between 7 and 9 horny plates. They produce a stomach oil made up of wax esters and triglycerides that is stored in the proventriculus. This is used against predators as well as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights.

The Grey Shearwater is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

Pediunker or Grey Shearwater is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family. It occurs in the open seas of the Southern Hemisphere, mainly between 49°S and 32°S. Contents - * 1 Taxonomy * 2 Etymology * 3 Description * 4 Behavior * 4.1 Feeding * 4. More

An all dark, dark grey shearwater, a bird that nests in the South Atlantic, then spends the rest of the year wandering the Atlantic - North and South - and here it was, shearing (as its name says!) the waste tops right next to the boat and into the chum line picking up bits of fish (which is what a chum line is - mashed fish and brawn over the back of the boat to attract birds). More

Picture of Procellaria cinerea above has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike license.
Original source: Peter Ryan
Author: Peter Ryan
Permission: Some rights reserved
Order : Procellariiformes
Family : Procellariidae
Genus : Procellaria
Species : cinerea
Authority : Gmelin, 1789