muttonbird

British  

/ ˈmʌtənˌbɜːd /

noun

1. any of several shearwaters, having a dark plumage with greyish underparts, esp the sooty shearwater ( Puffinus griseus ) of New Zealand, which is collected for food by Māoris. It inhabits the Pacific Ocean and in summer nests in Australia and New Zealand

2. any of various petrels esp the short tailed shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris , which inhabits the Pacific Ocean and in summer nests in S Australia

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Etymology

Origin of muttonbird

C19: so named because their cooked flesh is claimed to taste like mutton