Balearic Shearwater
Puffinus mauretanicus (PR Lowe, 1921)
YQ
BALSH
463
Family: Procellariiformes > Procellariidae
This Mediterranean shearwater, dusky-brown in colour, is a summer visitor to our waters when it can be seen from southern coasts.
Breeding around the coasts of the Balearic Islands in the western Mediterranean, from the start of the year to late spring, these birds then leave the Mediterranean and disperse into the Atlantic to undertake a post-breeding moult – many do this in the Bay of Biscay but some birds move further north.
Individuals head back to their breeding grounds during September. In some years a thousand or more Balearic Shearwaters can be present in our waters, a number that is thought to represent around one-third of the Mediterranean breeding population.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Balearic Shearwater
Identification
Balearic Shearwater identification is often difficult.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Balearic Shearwater, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Red listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Critically Endangered |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Critically Endangered 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | Yes |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WBD(I), Bern(II), NERC (41) |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Lothian, 1874 |
DISTRIBUTION
Balearic Shearwaters records have increased in Britain and Ireland, perhaps due to increased sea surface temperatures. They do not breed but are recorded from mid summer into winter, especially along the southwest and south coast of Britain, with scattered records elsewhere.
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 48 |
| % occupied in winter | 1.6 |
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
SEASONALITY
Balearic Shearwater is mostly recorded during autumn seawatching, from July onwards.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Balearic Shearwater, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
61×42 mm Weight = 57 g (of which 7% is shell) |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: YQ | 5-letter code: BALSH | Euring: 463 |
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Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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