Southern Giant Petrel vs Atlantic Petrel

Macronectes giganteus compared with Pterodroma incerta

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Southern Giant Petrel Atlantic Petrel
Scientific Name Macronectes giganteus Pterodroma incerta
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length
Wingspan 98.7 cm (38.9 in) 63.6 cm (25.0 in)
Weight 4425.0 g (156.09 oz) 515.0 g (18.17 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Southern Giant Petrel only

None

Atlantic Petrel only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Southern Giant Petrel

Endangered

Atlantic Petrel

About These Birds

Southern Giant Petrel

86–99 cm, wingspan 185–205 cm; largest procellariid. Bill massive, pale horn with greenish tip. Two morphs: brown-and-white and rare all-white. Breeds Antarctic and subantarctic islands; ranges widely in Southern Ocean. Scavenges carrion and kills penguins; dominant at seal carcasses.

Atlantic Petrel

43 cm, wingspan 104 cm. Large; dark brown above with pale belly and dusky breast-band creating hooded appearance. Breeds Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island; ranges into south Atlantic and Indian Ocean. Endangered; threatened by introduced predators and longline fisheries.

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