The Short-tailed Shearwater is a migratory seabird that visits West Malaysia, particularly its north west coast, as part of its incredible journey from Australian breeding grounds to the North Pacific and back, often appearing as a “southern visitor” with distinctive fast, choppy flight, notable for being seen increasingly in other areas like Thailand during its non-breeding migration.

It is a medium-sized, dark brown shearwater with narrow, crooked wings that produce quick wingbeats, known for rapid, bouncy wingbeats, contrasting with its long, efficient gliding style at sea.

These birds undertake massive migrations, travelling from southern Australia up to Japan and Alaska, passing through Southeast Asian waters like Malaysia.
Found at sea and increasingly recorded along Malaysia’s western coasts but with no consistent trends at the moment (past 20 years when they were first recorded in significant numbers). Known locally by fishrmen in Malay landguage as Itik Laut, with flocks of up to tens approaching a hundred in certain years. They are fairly tame and can be accidentally or unintentioannl trapped in fishing nets.

Not that rare along the coast of Seberang Perai of all district.