Bird Guide

Great Shearwater vs Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)

Great Shearwater

Ardenna gravis

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This shearwater is 43–51 cm (16.9–20.1 in) in length with a 105–122 cm (3.5–4.0 ft) wingspan. It is identifiable by its size, dark upper parts, and white under parts, with the exception of a brown belly patch and dark shoulder markings. It has a black cap, black bill, and a white "horseshoe" on the base of the tail. The stiff flight, like a large Manx shearwater, is also distinctive. The only other large shearwaters in its range are the Cory's Shearwater and the all-dark Sooty Shearwater.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: TRinaud · CC BY 4.0
Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna pacifica)

Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Ardenna pacifica

Large388 gMarine

The wedge-tailed shearwater is the largest of the tropical shearwaters. The two colour morphs of the species are dark and pale; the pale morphs predominate in the North Pacific, the dark morph elsewhere. However, both morphs exist in all populations, and bear no relation to sex or breeding condition. The pale morph has grey-brown plumage on the back, head, and upper wing, and whiter plumage below. The darker morph has the same dark grey-brown plumage over the whole body. The species' common name is derived from the large, wedge-shaped tail, which may help the species glide.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Great Shearwater and Wedge-tailed Shearwater.