Tropical Shearwater

Tropical/Audubon’s Shearwater, also known as Riga in Creole, is distributed throughout the tropics. However, it only breeds on predator-free islands within the Seychelles such as Cousine. This species of Shearwater is smaller than the wedge-tailed shearwater and is characterised by a white throat and belly. Breeding occurs year-round. They feed on small shrimp, squid and fish on the surface and are also known to plunge-dive up to 20m underwater in search of food. The distinctive evening calls of this bird may be heard resonating across the Island.