Great Shearwater vs Henderson Petrel
Ardenna gravis compared with Pterodroma atrata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Henderson Petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Pterodroma atrata |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 59.0 cm (23.2 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 320.0 g (11.29 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Endangered
Henderson 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.
Henderson Petrel
36–38 cm. All-dark gadfly petrel; sooty-brown with slightly paler primary patch below. Breeds Henderson Island (Pitcairn Islands). Endangered; population estimated at 5,000–10,000 pairs but vulnerable to introduced rats. Ranges in South Pacific; feeds at night on squid.