Northern Fulmar vs Sooty Shearwater

In short

The Northern Fulmar and Sooty Shearwater are both seabirds but differ in structure and plumage. The Northern Fulmar has a robust build with a thick neck and a stout bill, while the Sooty Shearwater is more streamlined with a slender bill. The fulmar is typically light gray or white, contrasting with the uniformly dark, sooty appearance of the shearwater.

Identification tips

• Bill shape: Fulmar has a stout, hooked bill; Shearwater's bill is slender.
• Plumage color: Fulmar is light gray or white; Shearwater is dark and sooty.
• Flight style: Fulmar glides with stiff wings; Shearwater has rapid wingbeats.
• Location: Consider geographic range and season; Fulmars in colder waters, Shearwaters migrate widely.

Size

Northern Fulmar is stockier and slightly smaller than the more elongated Sooty Shearwater.

Plumage

Northern Fulmar exhibits a light morph with gray or white plumage, whereas the Sooty Shearwater is uniformly dark and sooty in color.

Behaviour

Northern Fulmars often glide with stiff wings, while Sooty Shearwaters are known for their dynamic, rapid flight and frequent wingbeats.

Habitat

Both species are pelagic but may be seen closer to shore during breeding season. Fulmars are more likely to be found in colder northern waters, while Sooty Shearwaters migrate extensively and can be found in both hemispheres.

Voice

Vocalizations are not typically used for field identification as both species are generally silent at sea.