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title: "What do Streaked Shearwaters eat and how do they catch their prey?"
---

# What do Streaked Shearwaters eat and how do they catch their prey?

Kei Matsumoto ([Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University](http://www2.fish.hokudai.ac.jp/modules/english/content0015.html), Japan) and colleagues writing in the journal *[Ornithological Science](http://www.bioone.org/loi/jorn)*have looked at the foraging behaviour and diets of Streaked Shearwaters *Calonectris leucomelas*from Japan.

 The paper's abstract follows:

 "Foraging behavior and diet of Streaked Shearwaters *Calonectris leucomelas* rearing chicks on Mikura Island was studied using depth and temperature recording data-loggers and stomach contents.  Water mass where birds were foraging was estimated using sea surface temperature experienced by birds.  Birds spent 76-96% of their time at sea flying, 4-24% for landing on the water, and made a few (0.5-17.0 per day) shallow (<6 m) dives.  Birds made many short (<2 days) and some long (4-10 days) trips.  During short trips, birds stayed in the warmer Kuroshio and Kuroshio-Oyashio mixed regions, and fed on Japanese Anchovy *Engraulis japonicus*, Common Squid *Todarodes pacificus* and Flying Fish *Cypselurus hiraii.* During long trips, birds stayed in the colder Oyashio region and fed on anchovy and Pacific Saury *Cololabis saira.* Birds made more dives during short trips than they did during long trips.  Streaked Shearwaters breeding on the island in low-productive Kuroshio water, therefore, adopted dual foraging strategies, and changed their diet and dive frequencies in relation to water masses."

 **Reference:**

 Kei Matsumoto, K., Oka, N., Ochi, D., Muto, F., Satoh, T.P. & Watanuki, Y. 2012.  Foraging behavior and diet of Streaked Shearwaters *Calonectris leucomelas* rearing chicks on Mikura Island.  [*Ornithological Science* 11: 9-19](http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2326/osj.11.9).

 John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 13 August 2012