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Christmas Shearwater
Puffinus nativitatis
Migration Flyway
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About the Christmas Shearwater
The Christmas shearwater or ʻaoʻū (Puffinus nativitatis) is a medium-sized shearwater of the tropical Central Pacific. It is a poorly known species due to its remote nesting habits, and it has not been extensively studied at sea either. It is one member of a very ancient lineage of the small Puffinus species. Its only close living relative is the Galápagos shearwater (P. subalaris).
Source: Wikipedia
Classification
- Scientific name
- Puffinus nativitatis
- Family
- Shearwaters and Petrels
- Order
- Procellariiformes
Similar species
Other members of the shearwaters and petrels family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.
- Barolo Shearwater Puffinus baroli
- Bermuda Petrel Pterodroma cahow
- Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata
- Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas
- Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis
- Bonin Petrel Pterodroma hypoleuca
- Buller's Shearwater Ardenna bulleri
- Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii
- Cape Verde Shearwater Calonectris edwardsii
- Cook's Petrel Pterodroma cookii
- Cory's Shearwater Calonectris borealis
- Desertas Petrel Pterodroma deserta
Know when the Christmas Shearwater turns up near you
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Optics
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