Yelkouan shearwater (Μυχός)

Description:

The yelkouan shearwater, is a medium-sized shearwater in the seabird family Procellariidae. It has the typically "shearing" flight of the genus, dipping from side to side on stiff wings with few wingbeats, the wingtips almost touching the water. This bird looks like a flying cross, with its wing held at right angles to the body, and it changes from very dark brown to white as the dark upperparts and paler undersides are alternately exposed as it travels low over the sea. The pictured pair was spotted flying near the coast of Skyros island, Greece. The species is protected by the Greek law.