Heinroth's Shearwater
Puffinus heinrothi
A small, distinctively proportioned shearwater with a comparatively long-necked, long-tailed, round-winged appearance. Entirely dark plumage contrasts with variably white bars on the underside of remarkably short, stubby wings. Long thin bill is often obvious, as is this species’ habit of flying with its head raised above its body. Pale morph is paler below and overall lighter brown, but retains odd proportions. The dark morph of Wedge-tailed Shearwater is somewhat similar, but much larger and longer-tailed. Black Noddy is similar in size, but has a more buoyant, bouncy tern-like flight. Christmas Shearwater is most similar, but has a proportionally shorter bill and tail. Short-tailed and Sooty Shearwaters are similar in plumage, but their toes project beyond their tail, unlike in Heinroth’s Shearwater.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Puffinus heinrothi
- Authority
- Reichenow, 1919
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Genus
- Puffinus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PO : presumably montane Bougainville, Kolombangara and Rendova (n, wc Solomon Is.)
- Non-breeding range
- to Bismarck Arch., Flores and Molucca seas
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Geomalia
Zoothera heinrichi
A distinctive long-tailed thrush from Sulawesi. Graduated tail often appears abraded. Upperparts dark, with slate-colored back and wings. Wings show a rufous flash. Underparts warm rufous-orange in color, uniform in adults but variably speckled below in young birds, particularly around the throat. A shy terrestrial thrush that forages on forest floor and trails, found very locally in montane areas. Told from Island and Sulawesi Thrushes by notably longer tail, lack of black brow, and absence of dark throat. Largely silent; song unknown, but high-pitched whistle has been reported.
Antarctic Prion
Pachyptila desolata
A medium-sized prion with a noticeable dark “M'' stretched across their back from wingtip to wingtip noticeable in flight. They breed on Antarctic and subantarctic islands in the South Indian, Southern and South Atlantic Oceans and are widespread and abundant at sea around these areas. Regular visitor to New Zealand and Southern Australia during the austral winter. Very similar to other prion species, especially Salvin’s prion, with the Antarctic prion having a slightly brighter blue bill with straighter sides and a larger nail at the tip.
Comoro Pigeon
Columba pollenii
Big, dark pigeon with black-and-white slashes on the back of the head. The feet, bill, and eye-ring are bright yellow, but the bird looks plain in flight. Found on the Comoro Islands in the canopy of moist forest, secondary habitat, and plantations. Most common at higher elevations. Common vocalization is a growling call, followed by several low hoots. Could be mistaken for Madagascar Turtle-Dove, but dwells in the canopy, is larger, has yellow bare parts, and doesn’t show pale corners to the tail in flight.
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