Great Shearwater vs Pycroft's Petrel

Ardenna gravis compared with Pterodroma pycrofti

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Great Shearwater Pycroft's Petrel
Scientific Name Ardenna gravis Pterodroma pycrofti
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Vulnerable
Length
Wingspan 63.6 cm (25.0 in) 42.8 cm (16.9 in)
Weight 832.5 g (29.37 oz) 156.5 g (5.52 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Great Shearwater only

Pycroft's Petrel only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Great Shearwater

Vulnerable

Pycroft's 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.

Pycroft's Petrel

26–28 cm. Small; pale grey above with dark M-mark; white underparts with partial dark collar. Breeds small islands off northern New Zealand (Poor Knights, Hen & Chickens). Vulnerable; migrates to North Pacific. Feeds on squid and fish; nocturnal at colonies; threatened by rats.

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