Persian Shearwater (Puffinus persicus) **
The Persian Shearwater (Puffinus persicus) is a medium-sized seabird with streamlined, slender wings and a characteristic gliding flight over the ocean. It has dark brown upper parts and contrasting pale underparts, similar in appearance to other shearwaters but distinguished by its smaller size and more delicate build. Primarily found in the northern Indian Ocean, this species breeds on remote islands, including those in the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Oman, and the western Indian Ocean. Persian Shearwaters forage far from shore, feeding on small fish and squid, often associating with tuna and dolphins that drive prey to the surface. While generally pelagic, they may occasionally be sighted off the UAE’s coastline, particularly in deep offshore waters, making them a prized sighting for seabird enthusiasts.
NOT EVALUATED | DATA DEFICIENT | LEAST CONCERN** | NEAR THREATENED | VULNERABLE | ENDANGERED | CRITICALLY ENDANGERED | EXTINCT IN THE WILD | EXTINCT |
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NE | DD | LC | NT | VU | EN | CR | EW | EX |