Blue Petrel vs Antarctic Petrel
Halobaena caerulea compared with Thalassoica antarctica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue Petrel | Antarctic Petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Halobaena caerulea | Thalassoica antarctica |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 41.2 cm (16.2 in) | 59.2 cm (23.3 in) |
| Weight | 201.5 g (7.11 oz) | 658.3333333333334 g (23.22 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Blue Petrel
Least Concern
Antarctic Petrel
About These Birds
Blue Petrel
26–32 cm, wingspan 60–71 cm. Blue-grey above with distinctive white-tipped square tail; white below. Resembles prions but tail pattern diagnostic. Breeds subantarctic islands (South Georgia, Crozet, Kerguelen). Ranges widely in Southern Ocean; feeds on crustaceans and small fish.
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.