"Answer"
This is indeed an all dark shearwater, but the photograph doesn't
show the wing linings, so we must use other field marks. On a
boat, particularly a rough one, we might pass this off as a SOOTY
SHEARWATER. However, there are several problems with that identification.
First of all, the upper parts and the belly are a little too
uniform. The SOSH shown below definitely shows some paleness
at the base of the primaries and possibly even the secondaries.
Second of all, the bill is clearly too fine and also too short,
showing little evidence of a nostril tube even at this close
distance. The forehead is very steep and the chin is pale, neither
of which is good for SOSH. Finally, the feet project well behind
the tail of this bird, which is less evident on a SOSH. This
SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER was photographed on Monterey Bay during
the late fall in 1999.
For the larophiles I'd guess B1 WEGU for the rear one and I'm really not sure about the front one, though one veteran responder also suggested WEGU. Let me know if you agree.
Last updated 20 January, 2000