Flesh-footed shearwater

Ardenna carneipes

The flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) is a medium-large shearwater that mainly inhabits the Indo-Pacific.

Family: Procellariidae Order: Procellariiformes Conservation: Near Threatened

About the Flesh-footed shearwater

The flesh-footed shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) is a medium-large shearwater that mainly inhabits the Indo-Pacific. Its plumage is black with pale pinkish feet, and a pale bill with a distinct black tip. Together with the equally light-billed pink-footed shearwater, it forms the Hemipuffinus group, a superspecies which may or may not have an Atlantic relative in the great shearwater. These large shearwaters are among those that have been separated into the genus Ardenna. Recent genetic analysis indicates evidence of strong divergence between Pacific colonies relative to those in South and Western Australia, thought to be explained by philopatry and differences in foraging strategies during the breeding season. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2021 found very little genetic diff

Fun Facts About Flesh-footed shearwater

The flesh-footed shearwater breeds in colonies, and has two main breeding areas; one in the southwest Pacific Ocean includes Lord Howe Island (22,654 pairs ), South Australia (about 1,800 pairs breeding on two islands) and northern New Zealand (13,000 pairs); the other population comprises no more than 36,000 pairs breeding on 42 islands along the coast of Western Australia from Cape Leeuwin to the Recherche Archipelago.
At the state level, the species is listed as vulnerable in Western Australia and New South Wales and rare in South Australia.
Another 500 pairs breed on St Paul Island in the Indian Ocean.
Together with the equally light-billed pink-footed shearwater, it forms the Hemipuffinus group, a superspecies which may or may not have an Atlantic relative in the great shearwater.
The species was recently listed as near threatened in Australia and nationally vulnerable in New Zealand, and has been recommended for listing under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.

Conservation Status

The Flesh-footed shearwater is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. This species faces threats that could impact its population if conservation measures are not maintained.

View on IUCN Red List →

Taxonomy & Classification

Order	Procellariiformes
Family	Procellariidae
Genus	Ardenna
Species	Ardenna carneipes