Great Shearwater vs Black-capped Petrel

Ardenna gravis compared with Pterodroma hasitata

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Great Shearwater Black-capped Petrel
Scientific Name Ardenna gravis Pterodroma hasitata
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length — —
Wingspan 63.6 cm (25.0 in) 56.6 cm (22.3 in)
Weight 832.5 g (29.37 oz) 443.8333333333333 g (15.66 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Great Shearwater only

Black-capped Petrel only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Great Shearwater

Endangered

Black-capped 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-capped Petrel

40 cm. Large gadfly petrel; dark cap and upperparts, white underparts with dark carpal bar. Breeds Hispaniola and Cuba; once very abundant. Endangered; longline bycatch and habitat loss are key threats. Ranges widely in western and central Atlantic; crepuscular at colonies.

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