Barolo Shearwater vs Ashy Storm-Petrel

Barolo Shearwater

Puffinus baroli

How to recognise a barolo shearwater?

General Appearance

The Barolo Shearwater is a small seabird, typically measuring about 27-30 cm in length with a wingspan ranging between 67-72 cm. Its plumage is predominantly black and white, with the upper parts including the back and wings being a rich black while the underparts, including the belly and underwings, are a bright white. A distinct and thin black band runs across the leading edges of the wings, visible in flight. Their beak is slender and dark gray, complementing their small rounded head. Legs and feet are also dark, often having a slightly bluish tint.

Male vs Female

The Barolo Shearwater shows no significant sexual dimorphism as both males and females have similar size and plumage. This similarity in appearance makes it challenging to distinguish their sexes visually in the wild. Observations during the breeding season might provide slight variations in behavior rather than physical characteristics. Hence, both sexes are equally involved in nesting duties, including incubation and feeding of the chicks.

Juvenile

Juvenile Barolo Shearwaters differ slightly from adults primarily in the sharpness and intensity of their plumage colors. Younger birds may appear duller with a less distinct contrast between the black and white areas. The feather edges in juveniles often have a slightly frayed look as they transition into adult plumage. As they mature, they quickly take on the brighter and more defined coloration seen in adults. However, there are no drastic changes in size or shape between juveniles and adults.

Size

11.0 - 13.0 in/6.0 oz

Habitat

Primary Habitat

The Barolo Shearwater primarily inhabits subtropical and temperate marine environments. They are typically found around the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira. These seabirds prefer open oceans and coastal waters, especially during breeding periods, where they nest in cliffs and rocky shores to take advantage of sea breezes for effortless take-off.

Additional Range

Though mainly found in the Atlantic near their breeding grounds, Barolo Shearwaters have been spotted in less expected areas like the North Sea and off the western coasts of Africa. This indicates their adaptability and occasional ventures outside subtropical zones, possibly driven by changing food availability or migratory patterns.

Range Map

What do barolo shearwaters like to eat?

Natural diet

The Barolo Shearwater primarily feeds on small fish and squid found in their marine environment. Their diet largely consists of forage fish such as anchovies, sardines, and other small shoaling species. During the breeding season, they may also consume crustaceans and plankton available in the Atlantic Ocean. These birds are adapted to plunge-diving and surface-seizing techniques to catch their prey. Seasonal variations in their diet occur, as they travel across different ocean regions, yet small fish remain the core component.

Bird feeders

Barolo Shearwaters do not typically visit terrestrial bird feeders. As marine birds, their dietary habits are not well-suited for land-based feeder offerings like seeds, fruits, or suet. Their nutritional needs are met via their oceanic diet, which provides essential proteins and oils. Consequently, setting up a conventional bird feeder would not attract these seabirds. However, preserving their natural habitats and ensuring healthy ocean ecosystems are crucial for their sustenance. Efforts to keep coastal and marine areas free of pollution and disturbances can indirectly support their dietary needs.

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Ashy Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates homochroa

How to recognise an ashy storm-petrel?

Ashy Storm-Petrel Recognition Guide

General appearance: The Ashy Storm-Petrel is a small, slate-gray seabird notable for its uniformly ashy coloration without any striking patterns or contrasts. This bird typically measures about 18 to 20 centimeters in length with long, slender wings spanning approximately 43 to 47 centimeters. Its plumage has a soft, sooty color throughout, mirrored by dark brownish hue in its long, slightly forked tail. The bird's head, back, wings, and upper parts are varying shades of ashy gray, lending it camouflage against the ocean's murky horizons. Male vs female: Both the male and female Ashy Storm-Petrels showcase similar morphologies and plumage characteristics. There are no conspicuous differences, and thus, distinguishing the sexes based on appearance alone can be challenging. Both sexes share identical coloration and size, making external identification in the field infeasible without behavioral context or genetic analysis. Juvenile: Juvenile Ashy Storm-Petrels bear a close resemblance to adult birds with only subtle differences in appearance. They generally display slightly paler or duller plumage and may lack the full depth of coloration seen in mature birds. As juveniles age, they gradually acquire the adult's consistent ashy gray tone, completing the transition in several months as they mature in the marine environment.

Size

7.1 - 8.3 in/1.2 - 1.9 oz

Habitat

Primary Habitat

The Ashy Storm-Petrel primarily inhabits the coastal regions of the eastern North Pacific. This small seabird is most commonly found around the Channel Islands of California, preferring the cool, misty environments of rocky ocean islands. Its typical range extends from Northern California to Baja California, Mexico.

Additional Range

Beyond its preferred maritime climate, the Ashy Storm-Petrel has been observed straying into unexpected environments, such as offshore deep waters. During migration or dispersal, they may sporadically appear further inland. However, they remain largely dependent on island or coastal habitats for breeding and roosting.

Range Map

What do ashy storm-petrels like to eat?

Natural Diet

The Ashy Storm-Petrel primarily feeds at sea, where it forages for small fish, squid, and planktonic crustaceans. These birds often capture their prey by skimming near the water's surface, expertly dipping down to snatch meal items with their beaks. They occasionally follow ships to take advantage of fish scraps and other organic matter churned up in the water. There is little variation in their diet by season, as their foraging areas typically remain consistent year-round.

Bird Feeders

Bird feeders do not significantly supplement the diet of the Ashy Storm-Petrel, as its feeding habits are primarily geared towards marine environments. They rarely visit inland feeders, largely because they do not usually inhabit areas where feeders are prevalent. However, should an Ashy Storm-Petrel wander close to coastal feeders, it might show some curiosity towards fish-based suet or other seafood baits. Nevertheless, such occurrences are rare, and they are generally not observed feeding at human-provided feeder sources.

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Barolo Shearwater

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Ashy Storm-Petrel

Barolo Shearwater

Puffinus baroli

General Appearance

The Barolo Shearwater is a small seabird, typically measuring about 27-30 cm in length with a wingspan ranging between 67-72 cm. Its plumage is predominantly black and white, with the upper parts including the back and wings being a rich black while the underparts, including the belly and underwings, are a bright white. A distinct and thin black band runs across the leading edges of the wings, visible in flight. Their beak is slender and dark gray, complementing their small rounded head. Legs and feet are also dark, often having a slightly bluish tint.

Male vs Female

The Barolo Shearwater shows no significant sexual dimorphism as both males and females have similar size and plumage. This similarity in appearance makes it challenging to distinguish their sexes visually in the wild. Observations during the breeding season might provide slight variations in behavior rather than physical characteristics. Hence, both sexes are equally involved in nesting duties, including incubation and feeding of the chicks.

Juvenile

Juvenile Barolo Shearwaters differ slightly from adults primarily in the sharpness and intensity of their plumage colors. Younger birds may appear duller with a less distinct contrast between the black and white areas. The feather edges in juveniles often have a slightly frayed look as they transition into adult plumage. As they mature, they quickly take on the brighter and more defined coloration seen in adults. However, there are no drastic changes in size or shape between juveniles and adults.

Size

11.0 - 13.0 in/6.0 oz

There's more to learn about Barolo Shearwater

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Ashy Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates homochroa

Ashy Storm-Petrel Recognition Guide

General appearance: The Ashy Storm-Petrel is a small, slate-gray seabird notable for its uniformly ashy coloration without any striking patterns or contrasts. This bird typically measures about 18 to 20 centimeters in length with long, slender wings spanning approximately 43 to 47 centimeters. Its plumage has a soft, sooty color throughout, mirrored by dark brownish hue in its long, slightly forked tail. The bird's head, back, wings, and upper parts are varying shades of ashy gray, lending it camouflage against the ocean's murky horizons. Male vs female: Both the male and female Ashy Storm-Petrels showcase similar morphologies and plumage characteristics. There are no conspicuous differences, and thus, distinguishing the sexes based on appearance alone can be challenging. Both sexes share identical coloration and size, making external identification in the field infeasible without behavioral context or genetic analysis. Juvenile: Juvenile Ashy Storm-Petrels bear a close resemblance to adult birds with only subtle differences in appearance. They generally display slightly paler or duller plumage and may lack the full depth of coloration seen in mature birds. As juveniles age, they gradually acquire the adult's consistent ashy gray tone, completing the transition in several months as they mature in the marine environment.

Size

7.1 - 8.3 in/1.2 - 1.9 oz

There's more to learn about Ashy Storm-Petrel

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How to tell the Barolo Shearwater from the Ashy Storm-Petrel

Visual differences

Barolo Shearwater (length: 11-13 in, weight: 6 oz) is larger than the Ashy Storm-Petrel (length: 7-8 in, weight: 1.2-1.9 oz). The Shearwater sports a contrasting black and white plumage, whereas the Storm-Petrel features a uniform smoky gray coloring. Barolo Shearwater has a more substantial, robust body and a straighter beak adapted for fish catching; the Ashy Storm-Petrel is slender, with a built-for-skimming, shorter bill. These visual markers assist in distinguishing the larger, black-and-white Barolo Shearwater from the smaller, gray Ashy Storm-Petrel.

Key differences and behavior

The Barolo Shearwater (Puffinus baroli) and Ashy Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates homochroa) exhibit distinct behaviors to suit their environments. Barolo Shearwaters, weighing 6 ounces and spanning 11-13 inches, are agile nocturnal navigators, using stars and playful flight patterns as they traverse open oceans, primarily in the Atlantic. They breed in secluded cliffside burrows, sharing incubation duties equally between parents. Their diet consists of small fish and squid, foraging using plunge-diving techniques. Conversely, Ashy Storm-Petrels, lighter at 1.2-2 ounces and measuring 7-8 inches, thrive in the cooler coastal zones of the eastern North Pacific, engaging in nocturnal social displays. They nest on secluded islands, with the female primarily incubating eggs. They feed similarly to Barolo Shearwaters but may follow ships to feed on scraps. Both species avoid terrestrial bird feeders, relying solely on their oceanic environments.