Southern Giant Petrel vs Antarctic Petrel
Macronectes giganteus compared with Thalassoica antarctica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Southern Giant Petrel | Antarctic Petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Macronectes giganteus | Thalassoica antarctica |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 98.7 cm (38.9 in) | 59.2 cm (23.3 in) |
| Weight | 4425.0 g (156.09 oz) | 658.3333333333334 g (23.22 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Southern Giant Petrel
Least Concern
Antarctic 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.
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.