Bird Guide

Soft-plumaged Petrel vs White-headed Petrel

Soft-plumaged Petrel (Pterodroma mollis)

Soft-plumaged Petrel

Pterodroma mollis

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The soft-plumaged petrel is a medium-sized petrel. Its plumage is dark grey and white, and its wings are narrow and with a pointed tail distinct in flight. It has a dark grey head with prominent white feathers on the cheeks and throat. There is a white speckling on forehead along with a prominent dark eye patch. Its underside is mostly white, which turned dark grey at underwings. The bill is black and about 25–32 mm long and has a sharp hook. Its legs are pink with black on the outer webs and toes. There is also the dark morph, which is another variation of the petrel.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: stevestevens · CC0
White-headed Petrel (Pterodroma lessonii)

White-headed Petrel

Pterodroma lessonii

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The white-headed petrel distinct with a pale white head and prominent dark eye patch. It has long narrow wings and long pointed tail. The upper surface is pale grey which is contrasting with darker grey on the upper wings and the rump. The underside is mostly white. The bill is stout black with a large sharp hook. Green glands are prominent. The legs are pinkish to whitish with black patches on the toes. Voice: The calls are mainly higher-pitched shrill whistles ti-ti-ti or wik-wik-wik and lower-pitched moans ooo-er and or-wik sounds.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Julien Renoult · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Soft-plumaged Petrel and White-headed Petrel.