Buller's Shearwater vs Short-tailed Shearwater

Buller's Shearwater and Short-tailed Shearwater can be distinguished primarily by their plumage. Buller's Shearwater has a striking black-and-white pattern with a clean white underbody, while the Short-tailed Shearwater is more uniformly dark. Observing these differences in flight can help in identification.

Look for the contrasting black-and-white plumage of Buller's Shearwater, especially the white underbody and dark cap, compared to the uniform dark appearance of the Short-tailed Shearwater. Observing these birds in flight can make these differences more apparent.

Buller's Shearwater features a distinctive black-and-white pattern with a white underbody and a dark cap, whereas the Short-tailed Shearwater is more uniformly dark brown or sooty all over.