Christmas Shearwater vs Hutton's Shearwater

In short

Christmas Shearwater and Hutton's Shearwater are both small, dark shearwaters, but they can be distinguished by their plumage and range. Christmas Shearwater is uniformly dark brown, while Hutton's Shearwater has a distinct dark upper and white underpart contrast.

Identification tips

1. Look for the overall plumage color: Christmas Shearwater is uniformly dark, whereas Hutton's Shearwater has contrasting dark and light plumage. 2. Consider the geographic location: Christmas Shearwater is more likely in tropical Pacific regions, while Hutton's Shearwater is associated with New Zealand. 3. Observe the flight pattern: both species glide with stiff wings, but plumage contrast is key.

Size

Both species are similar in size, but Hutton's Shearwater may appear slightly more slender.

Plumage

Christmas Shearwater is uniformly dark brown all over, lacking any significant contrast. In contrast, Hutton's Shearwater has a distinct dark upper side with white underparts, creating a noticeable contrast.

Behaviour

Both species exhibit typical shearwater flight patterns, gliding low over the water with stiff wings.

Habitat

Christmas Shearwater is typically found in tropical Pacific islands, while Hutton's Shearwater is more associated with New Zealand and migrates to the North Pacific.

Voice

Vocalizations are not a reliable field mark for distinguishing these two species.