Manx shearwater

The Manx shearwater is a captivating medium-sized seabird from the Procellariidae family, historically referred to as "Manks puffins" in the 17th century. Interestingly, the term "puffin" during that period specifically denoted the cured carcasses of young shearwaters. This bird, belonging to the genus Puffinus, shares characteristics with other shearwaters and was first described by Morten Thrane Brünnich in 1764.

These seabirds are exclusively marine, nesting in burrows on North Atlantic islands. Notably, they undertake extensive migrations, traveling thousands of kilometers to spend winters off the coasts of Brazil and Argentina. Manx shearwaters exhibit fascinating behaviors such as complex vocalizations, specialized visual adaptations for their nocturnal lifestyle, and communal rafting.

However, life is not without its challenges. Predators such as large gulls, skuas, and birds of prey pose significant threats, along with introduced mammals like rats, cats, and hedgehogs. Additionally, they are hosts to feather lice and other parasites.

Despite these threats, the Manx shearwater population in Europe remains robust, with hundreds of thousands of breeding pairs. The IUCN classifies them as a species of least concern due to their large population. Conservation efforts focus on mitigating human impacts, including artificial lighting that can disorient the birds and the presence of non-native mammals.