Great Shearwater vs Yelkouan Shearwater
Ardenna gravis compared with Puffinus yelkouan
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Shearwater | Yelkouan Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardenna gravis | Puffinus yelkouan |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 63.6 cm (25.0 in) | 45.8 cm (18.0 in) |
| Weight | 832.5 g (29.37 oz) | 422.5 g (14.90 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Great Shearwater
Vulnerable
Yelkouan 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.
Yelkouan Shearwater
30–38 cm. Brown-black above, white below; similar to Manx but darker with brown flanks and dusky undertail. Breeds Mediterranean islands and coasts. Non-breeding range in eastern Mediterranean and Black Sea. Vulnerable; threatened by introduced predators and light pollution. Feeds on fish and squid.