MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus

90% of this species breed in the UK but it is widespread, a few even breed in Eastern USA. One of the longest-distance migrants, to the southern tip of South America, and an anti-clockwise return via the Carribean and eastern USA. An abundant species, a few birds reach north-west USA, where breeding may occur, and South Africa. The taxonomy is unclear, as it apparently forms a clade with Yelkouan and Balearic Shearwaters with which it was once lumped, and there seems little consensus as to whether two, three, or even four species are involved.


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