Great Shearwater vs Sargasso Shearwater
Ardenna gravis versus Puffinus lherminieri
Play a quiz with Great Shearwater and Sargasso Shearwater
Great Shearwater
Sargasso Shearwater
In short
The Great Shearwater and Sargasso Shearwater can be distinguished by their plumage and breeding locations. The Great Shearwater is notable for its dark cap and brown belly-patch, whereas the Sargasso Shearwater lacks these distinctive marks.
Identification tips
Look for the dark cap and brown belly-patch on the Great Shearwater. These features are absent in the Sargasso Shearwater.
Plumage
The Great Shearwater has a dark cap and a brown belly-patch, with a white underwing that may have variable brown markings. The Sargasso Shearwater does not have these specific features.