Scientific name: Puffinus assimilis baroli (Bonaparte, 1857)
Family: Procelariidae
Distribution and Habitat: Macronesian endemic subspecies, which nests in cliffs, small islands and islets.
Description: Adults present an average wing size of 63cm. Its feet are blue and, like the manx shearwater, it has very dark upperparts and light underparts. One way of distinguishing the 2 species is by observing the point of separation between black and white, which in the little shearwater occurs above the eyes, these appearing therefore in the lighter area of the face.
Conservation statute and Threats: Vulnerable species because its concentration area is reduced. It is properly protected in the Desertas and Selvagens islands where it is permanently under surveillance.
Observations: This species may be considered rare when compared to the remaining marine nesting birds of the archipelago (except the Zinos petrels), which is the reason for its conservation statute.
Related Links:
- Little Shearwater - Sounds (external link). Note its soft whistling trill. The call of a Madeiran (Band-rumped) Storm-petrel is heard now and then.
- Little Shearwater, Cory's Shearwater and Madeiran (Band-rumped) Storm-petrel Sounds (external link);
- Little Shearwater Sounds (external link). A Madeiran (Band-rumped) Storm-petrel in the foreground after a few seconds.