While our mountain retreat offers breathtaking views of the Costa Rican highlands, a whole other world exists just beyond the horizon – the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Today, we set our sights on a magnificent creature that calls these open waters home – the Wedge-tailed Shearwater.
A Master of the Skies
The Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) is a true marvel of avian adaptation. This medium-large shearwater, belonging to the Procellariidae family, is one of the largest tropical shearwaters. With a wingspan that can reach up to 5 feet, it effortlessly glides across the currents, its long, wedge-shaped tail (giving it its name) acting as a rudder for graceful maneuvers.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
The Wedge-tailed Shearwater boasts a fascinating plumage variation. There are two distinct color morphs – dark and pale. The pale morph, more common in the North Pacific, has a grey-brown back, head, and upper wings, contrasting beautifully with its white underparts. The dark morph, dominant elsewhere, showcases a sleek, all-dark grey-brown plumage. Interestingly, both morphs can be found within the same population, and the coloration has no bearing on sex or breeding status.
A Life on the Ocean Waves
Unlike the many avian gems that grace our mountain retreat, the Wedge-tailed Shearwater is a true child of the open ocean. It spends most of its life soaring above the waves, rarely venturing onto land except during breeding season. These shearwaters are phenomenal long-distance travelers, undertaking incredible migrations across the vast Pacific and Indian Oceans, ranging roughly between latitudes 35°N and 35°S.
Island Hopping for Love
When breeding season arrives, the Wedge-tailed Shearwater sets course for tropical or subtropical islands, including those off Japan, the Hawaiian Islands, the Seychelles, and even Cocos Island, Costa Rica. Here, they establish colonies on cliffs and slopes, creating burrows for nesting. Both parents take turns incubating the single egg for over 50 days, and chick-rearing lasts for another 3-4 months.
A Glimpse of a Seafaring Soul
While spotting a Wedge-tailed Shearwater from our mountaintop sanctuary might be a rare treat, avid birdwatchers venturing towards the Pacific Coast might be lucky enough to witness these magnificent birds gliding over the waves. Boat tours and pelagic birding trips offer the best chance to encounter these ocean wanderers.
The sight of a Wedge-tailed Shearwater effortlessly dancing on the wind currents is a truly unforgettable experience. It’s a reminder of the incredible diversity of life that exists in our world, and the beauty that thrives beyond the mountains we call home.
For more information, please view our comprehensive guide about the birds of Costa Rica
