Great Shearwater vs Persian Shearwater
Ardenna gravis compared with Puffinus persicus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Persian Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Puffinus persicus |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 39.2 cm (15.4 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 194.0 g (6.84 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Least Concern
Persian Shearwater
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.
Persian Shearwater
30–32 cm. Dark brown above; white below with dark smudging on flanks and vent. Breeds islands in the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf region. Ranges in NW Indian Ocean; poorly studied. Closely related to Audubon's Shearwater complex; feeds on fish and squid.