Great Shearwater vs Manx Shearwater
Ardenna gravis compared with Puffinus puffinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Manx Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Puffinus puffinus |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 46.5 cm (18.3 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 482.25 g (17.01 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Least Concern
Manx 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.
Manx Shearwater
30–38 cm, wingspan 76–89 cm. Classic small shearwater; jet-black above, brilliant white below; rapid wing-beats and stiff glides. Breeds UK, Faroe, Iceland, and Canary islands; makes extraordinary migrations to south Atlantic. Feeds on fish and squid; nocturnal at colonies. Near Threatened.