Cape Verde Shearwater (Calonectris edwardsii)

A pelagic seabird, up to 40 cm long, native to Cape Verde and similar to Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), albeit considerably smaller and with a thinner, darker bill. The main colonies are found on the islets of Branco and Raso, and on Brava, though it also breeds on Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Sal, Boavista, Santiago and probably Fogo and the islets of Rombos. The birds nest in hollows and crevices in cliffs, rocky outcrops and malpaíses or badlands, generally in small numbers. The total population numbers fewer than 10 000 pairs. Once the breeding season (spring to autumn) is over, the birds fly to South America, returning in late winter and early spring. There have also been two recent recordings in the Canaries, specifically on the islet of Montaña Clara. Currently, the species is under considerable threat, particularly from consumption by the local population, although a combination of surveillance of the main colony on Raso in recent years and environmental education have checked this delicate situation to a certain extent.