Yelkouan Shearwater
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Puffinus yelkouan
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How to recognize it
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30–36 cm, wingspan 76–89 cm
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Dark upperparts, white underparts, strong contrast
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Small thin black bill with tubular nostrils
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Low over water, stiff side-to-side gliding, few wingbeats
About the species
At sea it looks dark above and white below, with a small black bill that stands out against the face. In flight, the pale and dark halves flash as it banks low over the water, and the wings seem held stiff and broad while the body cuts from side to side.
It is silent offshore, but colonies turn noisy after dark with rough, drawn-out cackles. It flies close to the surface with few wingbeats, and over boats or headlands it may gather in large numbers, especially in autumn.
It breeds on islands and coastal cliffs in the eastern and central Mediterranean, then spends most of the year out on open water. It feeds on fish, molluscs, and small crustaceans, and many populations move around seasonally, though some stay near their breeding areas through winter.
Where to find
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Along seaside promenades and the waterline — especially at dusk, when Yelkouan Shearwaters skim low over the waves with wing tips almost touching the surface.
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From boats or exposed viewpoints with an open horizon — look for fast side-to-side glides and the sharp black-and-white contrast over the sea.
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Near rocky headlands, cliffy coastlines, and stone breakwaters — night calls from nesting colonies can carry surprisingly far.
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Around fishing harbors when scraps are thrown overboard — they gather quickly and wheel close to the boats.
