Cape Petrel vs Antarctic Petrel

Daption capense compared with Thalassoica antarctica

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Cape Petrel Antarctic Petrel
Scientific Name Daption capense Thalassoica antarctica
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 50.0 cm (19.7 in) 59.2 cm (23.3 in)
Weight 444.6666666666667 g (15.69 oz) 658.3333333333334 g (23.22 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend — —

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Cape Petrel

Least Concern

Antarctic Petrel

About These Birds

Cape Petrel

38–40 cm, wingspan 81–91 cm. Unmistakable chequered black-and-white plumage with two white wing patches. Abundant in the Southern Ocean; breeds on Antarctic and subantarctic cliff ledges. Follows ships avidly; feeds on krill, fish, and offal. One of the most commonly seen Antarctic seabirds.

Antarctic Petrel

40–46 cm, wingspan 100–110 cm. Striking chocolate-brown and white pattern; only member of its genus. Breeds solely in Antarctica on cliff ledges; among the most southerly-nesting birds. Feeds on fish and krill beneath pack ice. Returns to colonies in October; one of the most abundant Antarctic seabirds.

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