Great Shearwater vs Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Ardenna gravis compared with Ardenna pacifica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Wedge-tailed Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Ardenna pacifica |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 59.4 cm (23.4 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 435.0 g (15.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Least Concern
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
About These Birds
Great Shearwater
43–51 cm, wingspan 105–122 cm. Large; dark brown above with white underparts, dark cap, and distinctive scaly pattern on upperwing. Breeds Tristan da Cunha, Gough, and Falklands; migrates to North Atlantic. Feeds on fish and squid; spectacular post-breeding migration past UK coasts.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
38–46 cm, wingspan 97–105 cm. Long wedge-shaped tail diagnostic; dark brown above; polymorphic below (dark or white-breasted). Breeds tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean islands. Ranges widely at sea. Feeds on fish and squid; often associates with tuna. Common and widespread.