Sooty shearwater
Puffinus griseusThe sooty shearwater is ubiquitous in all oceans. It breeds on numerous temperate and subantarctic islands. The New Zealand population may be as high as 5 million breeding pairs, with the biggest colonies around Stewart, Snares, and Chatham islands. This species is the most commonly harvested muttonbird in New Zealand. A very similar-looking species, the short-tailed shearwater, is also present in New Zealand waters, but does not breed here. The two species may be misidentified at sea.
Data | Mean count |
---|---|
All data | 0.96 |
Spring | 1.37 |
Summer | 1.01 |
Autumn | 0.61 |
Winter | 0.03 |
2009 | 0.16 |
2010 | 2.12 |
2011 | 0.01 |
2012 | 2.21 |
2013 | 1.64 |
2014 | 0.37 |
2015 | 0.53 |
2016 | 1.02 |
2017 | 1.06 |
2018 | 1.07 |