Bird Description

Common but local. Breeds on cliff ledges. Winters well offshore. Solitary but often found in numbers if food is plentiful. Often follows fishing boats. ID: Heavy-set bird that falls between a shearwater and a gull in size and appearance. Broad tail and neck with wings and body held stiff and straight. Shallow wingbeats followed by glides and high arcs in bad weather. Sits high in water. Stout yellowish bill. Different color morphs poorly defined. All have dark smudge around eye (giving mean look), pale area at base of primaries, and gray tail. Dark and intermediate morphs much scarcer than light.