Murphy's Petrel vs Soft-plumaged Petrel

In short

Murphy's Petrel and Soft-plumaged Petrel can be challenging to differentiate at sea. The most reliable field mark is the underwing pattern: Murphy's Petrel has a more uniform dark underwing, while the Soft-plumaged Petrel shows a contrasting white band. Both species are similar in size and structure, so focus on plumage details.

Identification tips

1. Underwing pattern: Look for the contrasting white band in the Soft-plumaged Petrel. 2. Plumage variation: Note any light morphs which are more common in Soft-plumaged Petrels. 3. Season and location: Consider the range and season, as these can sometimes help rule out one species.

Size

Both species are similar in size, typical of medium-sized petrels, making size an unreliable distinguishing feature.

Plumage

Murphy's Petrel generally has a uniform dark gray plumage with a less contrasting underwing. In contrast, the Soft-plumaged Petrel features a distinct white band on the underwing and can show more variation with light morphs displaying paler plumage.

Behaviour

Both species exhibit similar flight patterns typical of petrels, with gliding and occasional flapping. Behavior is not a reliable differentiator.

Habitat

Both species are pelagic and are typically found in open ocean environments, making habitat an unreliable distinguishing factor.

Voice

Vocalizations are rarely heard at sea, so they are not useful for field identification.