Black-vented Shearwater, Puffinus opisthomelas


Black-vented Shearwater
Seen near shore off the Central California coast in Fall, especially in Monterey Bay, often in large numbers. Plumage resembles that of Pink-footed Shearwater, solid dark brown above and mostly white with some smudges below. But Black-vent is smallest (14" length) and Pink-foot largest (19") of Pacific shearwaters; Pink-foot's bill is bicolored with bright pink base, while Black-vent's is solid dark gray. Both have dark undertail coverts. White underparts easily distinguish Black-vent from larger Sooty Shearwater, with which they often associate. Most similar shearwater to Black-vent is the still smaller Manx, rare in the Pacific, and distinguished by sharply delineated dark brown cap and white undertail coverts.


Black-vented Shearwater