Great Shearwater vs Desertas Petrel
Ardenna gravis compared with Pterodroma deserta
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Desertas Petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Pterodroma deserta |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 50.5 cm (19.9 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 315.0 g (11.11 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Vulnerable
Desertas 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.
Desertas Petrel
34–36 cm. Dark above with grey rump; white belly with dusky flanks and partial breast-band. Breeds only on Deserta Grande, Madeira archipelago; Vulnerable with around 200–250 pairs. Ranges through tropical Atlantic. Threatened by introduced cats; nocturnal at colonies.