Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris borealis), a majestic seabird synonymous with the wild beauty of the Canary Islands, embodies the untamed spirit of the Atlantic. Known locally as “pardela” or the “ghost of the oceans” for its haunting nocturnal calls, this large-winged wanderer glides effortlessly over Tenerife’s turquoise waves. As a key player in marine ecosystems, Cory’s shearwater not only captivates birdwatchers but also highlights the urgent need for conservation amid growing human impacts. In this guide, we’ll explore its fascinating biology, epic journeys, and the latest efforts to safeguard its future—especially in South Tenerife, where a groundbreaking nighttime rescue initiative is making waves.
The Enigmatic World of Cory’s Shearwater: Biology and Behavior
Cory’s shearwater is a robust seabird measuring 45–56 cm in length with an impressive wingspan of 112–126 cm, making it one of the larger members of the Procellariidae family. Its plumage features brownish-grey upperparts, white underparts, and a distinctive yellow bill tipped with dark hooks, perfect for snatching prey mid-flight. Unlike its Mediterranean cousin, Scopoli’s shearwater, Cory’s boasts a more robust build and a bolder black patch on the underwing, aiding identification during those rare close encounters.
These birds are true pelagic nomads, spending 90% of their lives at sea, diving up to 15 meters or more to hunt squid, fish, mollusks, and even fishery offal. Their flight is a mesmerizing spectacle: long, bowed glides with wings angled back, conserving energy over vast expanses of ocean. At night, breeding pairs return to hidden burrows, filling the air with eerie cries—a high-pitched wail from males resembling a baby’s sob, paired with the female’s raspy rasp. This vocal duet isn’t just romantic; it wards off rivals and strengthens pair bonds that can last decades.
As monogamous nesters, Cory’s shearwaters lay a single white egg in rocky crevices or burrows on steep cliffs, incubating it for about 55 days while sharing chick-rearing duties. Chicks fledge after 90–110 days, embarking on their first solo flight—a perilous rite of passage that often leads them astray in light-polluted coastal zones.
Habitat and Migration: From Tenerife Cliffs to Atlantic Horizons
Tenerife and the Canary Islands serve as a vital stronghold for Cory’s shearwater, hosting around 15% of the global population—roughly 30,000 pairs across colonies like those on Lanzarote’s Chinijo Archipelago. These birds favor remote, predator-scarce islands and coastal cliffs in the North Atlantic, from the Azores and Madeira to Spain’s Berlengas. In Tenerife, prime nesting spots include rugged ravines and barren offshore islets, where the island’s volcanic terrain offers natural camouflage and protection.
Migration defines their adventurous life. Breeding from March to October, Canary Islanders forage along Africa’s productive continental shelves, zipping between Tenerife and Western Sahara in short bursts or epic 1,000+ km loops. Come November, they embark on a flexible odyssey across the Atlantic, tracing an figure-eight path with stopovers off West Africa and the British Isles. Winter quarters vary: some linger in the Canary Current, while others venture to South Africa’s Benguela waters or Brazil’s coast, guided by winds and experience rather than rigid routes. GPS-tracked birds have revealed over a million locations, showing how age hones their paths—youngsters detour more, veterans optimize for efficiency.
This wanderlust makes them bioindicators of ocean health; shifts in their routes signal overfishing or warming seas, urging us to protect these migratory corridors.
Threats Facing Cory’s Shearwater: Lights, Lines, and Invaders
Despite a “Least Concern” IUCN status and stable populations exceeding 600,000 pairs, Cory’s shearwater grapples with mounting perils. Light pollution is a silent killer, disorienting fledglings during their October-November debut flights. Mistaking urban glow for moonlight, chicks crash-land on roads and beaches, vulnerable to cars, predators, and exhaustion. In Tenerife, this annual crisis strands hundreds, amplified by coastal tourism.
Fisheries pose another grave risk: longlines hook thousands yearly, while trawler offal lures them into propeller paths. Plastics mimic squid, clogging guts and entangling wings, while invasive rats, cats, and mice raid nests, decimating eggs on accessible islands. Climate change disrupts prey stocks, and poaching for bait or feathers lingers in remote spots. In the Canaries, these threats compound, turning paradise into peril for this resilient flier.
Spotlight on Tenerife: The New Nighttime Rescue Initiative in South Tenerife
Tenerife leads the charge with innovative conservation, exemplified by Adeje Town Hall’s newly launched nighttime collection service for Cory’s shearwaters. Rolled out in late October 2025 amid peak fledging season, this Tenerife Cabildo-backed campaign targets light-dazzled chicks in South Tenerife’s bustling resorts.
Operated from the Adeje Youth Centre on Avenida Rosa de los Vientos in El Galeón, the service runs extended hours: weekdays 8 am–3 pm, 4–8 pm, and 10 pm–6 am; weekends 8 am–4 pm and 10 pm–6 am. Due to renovations at Fañabé Local Police Station, all rescues route here for swift triage and rehab. Councillor Patricia Paulsen Fölling hailed it as a “coordinated response guaranteeing safe rescue,” underscoring Adeje’s sustainability ethos.
Complementing this is the “El Primer Viaje” (The First Journey) education project, dimming public lights and teaching spotters how to handle grounded birds: glove up, towel-cover, box in a cool spot—no food or water—and call 112 or Adeje Police (922 747 206 after 6 pm). Upcoming events include November 6’s student talk at IES El Galeón and weather-dependent patrols with releases, fostering community buy-in. These efforts have boosted recovery rates, proving local action can stem broader declines.
Conservation Successes and How You Can Help Protect Cory’s Shearwater
Globally, triumphs include predator eradication on Madeira’s Selvagem Grande, the world’s largest colony, yielding a 4.6% annual population surge since 1980. In the Canaries, SPA protections and bycatch-reduction tech in fisheries safeguard key sites. Tenerife’s initiative builds on this, integrating rehab centers like the Cabildo’s Wildlife Recovery Centre (922 445 777) for seamless releases.
You can join the flock: Report sightings via 112, support light-limiting ordinances, and beach-clean for plastics. Birdwatch from Anaga Rural Park or Los Gigantes cliffs—binoculars at dawn reveal their graceful patrols. Follow Cabildo updates or volunteer for patrols to witness releases that soar spirits.
Cory’s shearwater reminds us: in Tenerife’s embrace of sea and sky, conservation isn’t just duty—it’s a thrilling adventure. Spot one gliding into the sunset, and you’ll feel the pulse of the Atlantic alive.
