Manx Shearwater
Photo: Martin Reith · CC BY-SA 3.0

Petrels, Shearwaters, and Diving Petrels

Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinus

LCLeast Concern
Family
Petrels, Shearwaters, and Diving Petrels (Procellariidae)
Order
Procellariiformes

Overview

The Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) is a medium-sized shearwater in the seabird family Procellariidae. The scientific name of this species records a name shift: Manx shearwaters were called Manks puffins in the 17th century. Puffin is an Anglo-Norman word (Middle English pophyn) for the cured carcasses of nestling shearwaters. The Atlantic puffin acquired the name much later, possibly because of its similar nesting habits.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.