Subject: Re: Sooty vs. Short-tailed Shearwater ID
Date: Dec 5 07:29:39 1997
From: jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca - jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca


** Richard Rowlett wrote -

<cut
> However, in the report submitted to you, there seems to be nothing, or it's
> not mentioned, regarding other useful aspects of Sooty vs Short-tailed
> Shearwater identification, specifically, the head and bill.
<cut>

Agreed. My pelagic comparative experience with these species was during
the boreal winter months. When in mixed flocks, the shorter bill and
"rounder" head of the Short-tailed Shearwater (formerly Short-billed
Shearwater, by the way) was conspicuous. Also, there was often a faint
mauvish or purplish sheen around the head of the STSH lacking in the SOSH
which was likely molt-related, similar to the head sheen of a very young
Mew Gull.





Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca