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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