Birds diurnal

Great Shearwater

Ardenna gravis

The Great Shearwater is a marathon migrant of the Atlantic, gliding across entire oceans on stiff, tireless wings. Known for its signature dark cap and white collar, this ocean wanderer is a spectacular sight for coastal observers and offshore adventurers alike.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 43–51 cm (17–20 in); Wingspan: 100–118 cm (39–46 in); Weight: 715–950 g (1.6–2.1 lbs)

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Colors

Dark chocolate-brown cap and upperparts; white underparts with a distinct dusky brown smudge on the belly; white 'collar' on the neck; dark bill.

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Key Features

Distinct dark cap separated from the back by a white neck collar
Dusky brown patch or 'smudge' on the center of the white belly
Long, dark, hook-tipped bill
Stiff-winged flight pattern with long glides very close to the water

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours Daylight hours, particularly early morning and late afternoon when prey species migrate toward the surface.

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Season May through October in the North Atlantic; November through April in the South Atlantic.

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Diet A carnivorous hunter that specializes in small schooling fish (like sand lance and capelin), squid, and crustaceans. They are also prolific scavengers of fisheries discards.

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Habitat Strictly pelagic (open ocean); most common over the continental shelf and slope. They only come to land on remote, rocky islands to breed.

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Behavior

The Great Shearwater is a legendary traveler, performing a massive 'Great Circle' migration that spans the entire Atlantic Ocean. These birds are masters of the wind, utilizing a technique called dynamic soaring to glide over waves with minimal effort. They are highly social, often seen in large 'rafts' on the ocean surface or congregating in massive numbers where food is abundant.

While they are graceful in the air, they are equally impressive underwater. They use their powerful wings to 'fly' beneath the surface, reaching depths of up to 60 feet to chase schools of fish. They are often bold around humans, frequently following fishing vessels to scavenge for scraps, sometimes becoming quite vocal and competitive with other seabirds during feeding frenzies.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Great Shearwater on an AI camera presents a unique challenge because they are strictly marine birds. If your 'backyard' is a coastal bluff, a pier, or a boat, mount your camera at a low angle—roughly 2 to 4 feet above the water level. This 'sea-level' perspective captures the dramatic 'shearing' flight where the bird's wingtip nearly touches the water, providing a much more intimate and professional look than shooting from a high deck.

Because these birds are incredibly fast, you must prioritize a camera with a high-speed trigger (0.2s or faster) and a rapid burst mode. To attract them within range of a fixed camera on a boat or dock, use a 'scent lure.' A mesh bag filled with oily fish scraps (chum) or a slow-release bottle of menhaden oil creates a slick on the water that shearwaters can smell from miles away. Position the camera to trigger as they bank into the wind to investigate the source of the scent.

Lighting on the open water is often harsh. To avoid 'blowing out' the white feathers of their neck and belly, try to position your camera so the sun is at a 45-degree angle to the subject rather than directly behind the camera. This side-lighting adds texture to the feathers and highlights the scalloped pattern on their wings. If your camera settings allow, a slight underexposure (-0.7 EV) will help preserve the details in their white plumage against the dark ocean background.

Seasonality is key for this species. In the North Atlantic, the best time for camera traps is during the late summer 'moult' when thousands of birds gather in productive waters like the Gulf of Maine or the Grand Banks. Look for 'bait balls'—swirling masses of small fish—as shearwaters will dive repeatedly in these areas. Setting a camera on a stabilized mount near these natural feeding events will yield the highest quality action shots of diving and surfacing behavior.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Great Shearwater.

Cory's Shearwater

Lacks the dark cap and white collar of the Great Shearwater and has a pale, yellowish bill instead of a dark one.

Sooty Shearwater

Much darker overall, with chocolate-brown feathers across its entire body and silvery-white flashes on the underwings.

Manx Shearwater

Significantly smaller with a blacker back and lacks the dusky brown smudge on the belly found on the Great Shearwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Great Shearwater are primarily diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day. They are especially busy during the 'golden hours' of dawn and dusk when their prey, such as squid and small fish, move closer to the ocean surface.

Unless your 'backyard' is a boat or a coastal pier, you won't see them at a traditional bird feeder. To attract them on the water, use fish oil or a chum bag filled with oily fish like mackerel or menhaden to create a scent trail.

Their diet consists of small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are also opportunistic scavengers and will frequently follow fishing boats to eat discarded fish and offal.

No, Great Shearwater are pelagic birds and never visit suburban or inland areas. They spend their entire lives at sea, only coming to land on remote, rocky islands in the South Atlantic for breeding.

The easiest way to tell them apart is by the head: the Great Shearwater has a crisp, dark brown cap and a white neck collar, while the Cory's Shearwater has a solid grayish-brown head that fades gradually into a pale throat with no distinct cap.

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