The world population of this species, which probably does not exceed 25,000 pairs, is quite low for a seabird. Nevertheless, these are the common light-bellied shearwaters off Oregon in summer.

They are larger, bulkier, and fly more deliberately than the usually much more abundant sooty shearwaters with which they associate. They are uniform gray-brown above; the underparts are white; the vent and underwings variably smudged with dusky. The pinkish bill is dark-tipped and the feet are pink.

It is a common summer visitor and very common fall transient offshore on shallow shelf waters. It is usually seen seaward, approximately five to 10 miles off Oregon's shores.

Photo by ©Greg Gilson