Bob - The observer wrote that it flew in a stray glide That sounds much more
like a pteradroma petrel than a shearwater. He also wrote that didn’t fly in a
loopy pattern like a bird on youtube did. I think I know the youtube video he
looked at, where a Grey-faced did some very exaggerated abrupt changes in
direction while apparently feeding, even more acrobatic than a petrel flying in
an arching pattern. The many petrel species I have seen were not usually doing
more than skimming agilely over the water while gliding, and deftly following
the wave contours.
Quote from Marty Karlin: "I looked at some videos. The body shape and
relationship of body to wings does look petrel like. The flight of the bird I
saw was not as swoopy, nor did I notice the couple quick wingbeats as in the
video. My recollection of flight was a steady glide, not as abrupt in the
movements."
Jeff
On Nov 22, 2020, at 4:48 AM, Robert O'Brien <baro@xxxxxxx
<mailto:baro@xxxxxxx>> wrote:
Sorry again for this chain or consciousness string of emails. I should have
thought it all through before posting.
Anyhow, here are a couple of additional thoughts.
1. I'm claiming I believe this to be a Petrel, not a Shearwater.
Great-winged is a likely candidate as suggested by Jeff.
But I have not investigated other Petrel species.
2. Such petrels have very distinctive soaring flight styles. Shearwaters
have a different flight style. Petrel flight styles
are greatly aided by the frequent winds offshore which these petrels take
advantage of for their spectacular flight.
BUT a petrel in a strange place near shore, perhaps 'lost' and not feeding
might fly pretty much as a shearwater so the absence
of 'soaring' flight would not disqualify this bird..
