Ardenna is a genus of seabirds in the family Procellariidae. These medium-sized shearwater species were formerly included in the genus Puffinus.
Ardenna
Image: Bullershearwater
Image: Sooty shearwater kaikoura
Image: Puffinus tenuirostris 2
The family Procellariidae is a group of seabirds that comprises the fulmarine petrels, the gadfly petrels, the diving petrels, the prions, and the shearwaters. This family is part of the bird order Procellariiformes, which also includes the albatrosses and the storm petrels.
Procellariidae
The flight of giant petrels is aided by a shoulder-lock that holds their wing out without effort.
To take off this Christmas shearwater (Puffinus nativitatis) must face into a strong wind. In calm conditions it must run in order to obtain a high airspeed.
Million-strong flocks of shearwaters migrate from New Zealand to Alaska every year.