The Indian Subcontinent provides suitable habitats to various species of birds for residing and nesting. Shearwaters are no exception in this regard. Various types of shearwaters have been recorded in India. These shearwaters are described below.
Wedge-Tailed Shearwater
Wedge-Tailed Shearwater is a sparse migrant of India. This bird exhibits two color morphs, that is, dark and light. The dark morph is characterized by sooty-brown upperparts and dusky brown underparts. In this morph, the bird has brownish-grey chin, throat and forehead. The feathers of the back and wings are edged in slightly lighter brown. The bird has black primaries and undertail-coverts. The light morph is characterized by grayish-brown upper body and white underparts. There are thick dark bands on the underside of the wings and dark undertail-coverts. In this morph, the bird has mottled grey-brown sides, flanks and undertail.
Tropical Shearwater
Tropical Shearwater has been recorded in the tropical parts of the western Indian Ocean, including southern India. This Shearwater is a dark brown bird. Its throat is white in color. The length of the bird ranges from 25 to 35 cm and its weight ranges from 150 to 250 grams. The wingspan ranges from 65 to 75 cm.
Flesh-Footed Shearwater
Flesh-Footed Shearwater is a blackish brown bird. It has pale yellow bill, with distinct black tip. The under side is dark brown and the under wings are grayish brown. The feet and legs are pale pink. The tail is blackish, wedged shaped or rounded. The length of the bird ranges from 40 to 50 cm and its weight ranges from 500 to 775 grams. Its wingspan ranges from100 to 115 cm.
Short-Tailed Shearwater
Short-Tailed Shearwater has a black colored bill. It is blackish brown on the cap and slightly paler over rest of the upper parts. It has blunt-tail. The length of the bird ranges from 40 to 45 cm and its weight ranges from 500 to 900 grams. The bird has a wingspan of about 100 cm.
Cory`s Shearwater
Cory`s Shearwater is a bird with brownish-grey upperparts. The underparts are white in appearance. The bill of the bird is yellowish. The length of the bird ranges from 50 to 55 cm and its weight ranges from 600 to 1000 grams. Its wingspan ranges from 110 to 125 cm.
Streaked Shearwater
Streaked Shearwater is a brownish colored bird with a large and pale bill. It has mottled head and mottled white underparts. It has pale pink legs. The length of the bird ranges from 45 to 50 cm and its weight ranges from 450 to 550 grams. Its wingspan ranges from 100 to 110 cm.
