Great Shearwater vs Black Petrel

Ardenna gravis compared with Procellaria parkinsoni

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Great Shearwater Black Petrel
Scientific Name Ardenna gravis Procellaria parkinsoni
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Vulnerable
Length
Wingspan 63.6 cm (25.0 in) 72.6 cm (28.6 in)
Weight 832.5 g (29.37 oz) 737.8333333333334 g (26.03 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Great Shearwater only

Black Petrel only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Great Shearwater

Vulnerable

Black 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.

Black Petrel

46 cm. All-black petrel with pale yellowish bill with dark culmen ridge. Breeds only Great and Little Barrier islands off New Zealand. Vulnerable; migrates to eastern Pacific after breeding. Threatened by introduced predators; feeds on squid and fish.

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