shearwater Definition
- 1a long-winged seabird with a forked tail, typically flying low over the sea and plunging for fish from the surface.
- 2a nocturnal burrowing petrel with a hooked beak and long wings, found chiefly in the southern oceans.
Using shearwater: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shearwater" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The shearwater is a common sight off the coast of California.
Example
The short-tailed shearwater breeds in large numbers on islands off the coast of Australia.
Example
Shearwaters are known for their long migrations, traveling thousands of miles each year.
shearwater Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with shearwater
a small shearwater that breeds on islands in the North Atlantic and migrates to the South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Example
The Manx shearwater is known for its distinctive call, which can be heard at night on breeding colonies.
a large shearwater that breeds in the Southern Hemisphere and migrates to the Northern Hemisphere.
Example
The sooty shearwater is one of the most abundant seabirds in the world, with an estimated population of over 20 million.
Cory's shearwater
a medium-sized shearwater that breeds in the Mediterranean and migrates to the Atlantic Ocean.
Example
Cory's shearwater is named after the American ornithologist Charles B. Cory, who collected the first specimen in 1881.
Summary: shearwater in Brief
A 'shearwater' [ˈʃɪəwɔːtə(r)] is a type of seabird that is known for its long wings and ability to fly low over the water. There are two main types of shearwaters: those that fly during the day and those that fly at night. They are found all over the world and are known for their long migrations. Examples of shearwaters include the Manx shearwater, the sooty shearwater, and Cory's shearwater.
