Great Shearwater vs Snow Petrel
Ardenna gravis compared with Pagodroma nivea
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Snow Petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Pagodroma nivea |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 49.5 cm (19.5 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 386.0 g (13.62 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Least Concern
Snow 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.
Snow Petrel
30–35 cm, wingspan 75–95 cm. Entirely snow-white plumage; black bill, eyes, and feet. Nests in rock crevices deep in Antarctica, among the southernmost breeding birds on Earth. Feeds on krill and fish under pack ice. Highly territorial at nest; secretes stomach oil as defence.