Procellariidae – Shearwaters & petrels

Never getting sea-sick, they enjoy long voyages giving award-winning performances in the ocean

These pelagic birds range in size from small to relatively large. All birds in this family have a characteristic tube-shaped nose hence the name “tubenoses.” Long, narrow, pointed wings and more petite tails make these birds different from others.

They love the ocean as most of their lives are spent in the sea, with occasional land visits at night for breeding. Petrels and shearwaters have their legs far behind the body, making it difficult to walk on the land. They flutter, glide and hop in the ocean like playing with the winds and waves. These cute birds show out in the sea as they perform tricks with waves.