Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea

Large, lumbering shearwater. Diagnostic yellow bill is often visible from quite a long distance. Look for warm pale brown upperparts and clean white belly and underwings. Also note little contrast between the brown head and white throat (compare with distinct capped appearance of Great Shearwater). Lazier wingbeats than other large shearwaters, especially in calm conditions; wings look crooked with wrists pushed forward in flight. Forms mixed flocks with other shearwaters, especially when feeding. Fairly common in warm water; breeds in the Mediterranean and moves widely around the Atlantic when not breeding. Very similar to closely related and recently split Cory’s Shearwater. Can be identified with caution, and often by analysis of photographs, by the pale “tongues” extending into the otherwise dark outer part of the underwing.