Great Shearwater vs Southern Giant Petrel
Ardenna gravis compared with Macronectes giganteus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Southern Giant Petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Macronectes giganteus |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 98.7 cm (38.9 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 4425.0 g (156.09 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Least Concern
Southern Giant Petrel
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.
Southern Giant Petrel
86–99 cm, wingspan 185–205 cm; largest procellariid. Bill massive, pale horn with greenish tip. Two morphs: brown-and-white and rare all-white. Breeds Antarctic and subantarctic islands; ranges widely in Southern Ocean. Scavenges carrion and kills penguins; dominant at seal carcasses.