Great Shearwater vs Scopoli's Shearwater
Ardenna gravis compared with Calonectris diomedea
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Scopoli's Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Calonectris diomedea |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 68.8 cm (27.1 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 707.0 g (24.94 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Least Concern
Scopoli's 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.
Scopoli's Shearwater
45–56 cm, wingspan 112–122 cm. Large; brown-grey above with yellow bill; white below. Breeds Mediterranean islands; migrates to Atlantic. Formerly lumped with Cory's Shearwater; distinguished by smaller size and more restricted breeding range. Feeds on fish and squid.