Short-tailed Shearwater

Scientific Name: Ardenna tenuirostris
Malay Name: Itik-itik Ekor Pendek Pasifik
Chinese Name: 短尾鹱
Alternative Name(s): Muttonbird

Range:
Breeds in SE Australia and wanders north into the Pacific Ocean outside breeding season

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 41-43 cm

Identification:
Overall dark sooty-brown plumage with pale chin, slightly paler breast and belly, prominent whitish area at the centre of underwing and toes extend beyond tip of short tail when in flight.

Similar looking species: Bulwer's Petrel, Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Habitat: Open seas

Behaviour/Ecology: Flight direct, consisting of a flapping rise followed by a long downward glide.

Local Status: Rare passage migrant.

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2018)

Featured articles:

• Measurements of the 23 June 2021 Wedge-tailed Shearwater in Bishan (ID Articles)
• Pelagic Bird Survey at the Singapore Strait – 5 May 2018 (Trip Reports)
• Pelagic Bird Survey to the Horsburgh Lighthouse – 29 April 2017 (Trip Reports)

Past accepted records in our database:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Short-tailed Shearwater at Tanjung Dawai. Photo Credit: Neoh Hor Kee

Short-tailed Shearwater at Straits of Singapore. Photo Credit: See Toh Yew Wai

Short-tailed Shearwater at Singapore Strait. Photo credit: Goh Cheng Teng

Short-tailed Shearwaters at Straits of Singapore. Photo Credit: See Toh Yew Wai

Short-tailed Shearwater at Tanjung Dawai. Photo Credit: Neoh Hor Kee

Short-tailed Shearwater at Singapore Strait. Photo credit: Francis Yap

Short-tailed Shearwater at Straits of Singapore. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

Short-tailed Shearwater at Tanjung Dawai. Photo Credit: Neoh Hor Kee

Short-tailed Shearwater at Tanjung Dawai. Photo Credit: Neoh Hor Kee