Manx Shearwater: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Seabirds · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Even if released hundreds of kilometres inland, a Manx shearwater can find its way straight back to its burrow.
2. One Manx shearwater ringed in 1957 lived about 50 years. An expert estimated it flew more than 8 million km in its life.
3. In breeding season, shearwaters commute to feeding grounds up to 1,500 km away. Birds nesting in Ireland even reach the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
4. Before and after visiting their chicks, shearwaters sit on the sea near their colony in huge "rafts", often more than 10,000 birds.
5. A Manx shearwater lays a single white egg weighing 57 g, only 7 % of which is shell.

The quiz

1. What can a Manx shearwater do even if released hundreds of kilometres inland?

• Dig a new burrow
• Find its way back to its burrow (correct)
• Wait for rescue
• Fly out to sea and stay

It can find its way straight back to its burrow.

2. How far did an expert estimate a shearwater ringed in 1957 had flown in its life?

• More than 8 million km (correct)
• About 8,000 km
• More than 80,000 km
• About 800 km

An expert estimated it had flown more than 8 million km.

3. How far away can a shearwater's breeding-season feeding grounds be?

• Up to 15 km
• Up to 150 km
• Up to 15,000 km
• Up to 1,500 km (correct)

They commute to feeding grounds up to 1,500 km away.

4. How many birds can gather in a shearwater "raft" on the sea?

• About 100
• About 1,000
• More than 10,000 (correct)
• About 50

Rafts often hold more than 10,000 birds.

5. How many eggs does a Manx shearwater lay?

• Two eggs
• A single egg (correct)
• Four eggs
• Six eggs

The female lays a single white egg.

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