Wedge-tailed Shearwater vs Short-tailed Shearwater

The Wedge-tailed Shearwater and Short-tailed Shearwater can be distinguished by tail shape and plumage. The Wedge-tailed has a distinctive long, wedge-shaped tail, while the Short-tailed has a shorter, more rounded tail. Both species are similar in size, but their plumage and behavior offer additional clues.

1. Tail Shape: Look for the long, wedge-shaped tail of the Wedge-tailed Shearwater. 2. Plumage: Check for the light morph with white undersurfaces in Wedge-tailed; Short-tailed is darker. 3. Behavior: Observe flight patterns; Wedge-tailed has buoyant glides. 4. Habitat: Consider the water temperature; Wedge-tailed prefers warmer waters.

Both species are similar in size, but the Wedge-tailed Shearwater is slightly larger overall.

The Wedge-tailed Shearwater often shows a light morph with irregularly white undersurfaces of the wings, while the Short-tailed Shearwater is generally darker with more uniform plumage.

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters exhibit buoyant glides and stiff wingbeats, often seen in large flocks. Short-tailed Shearwaters also glide but are more likely to be seen in smaller groups.

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters are common in warm tropical waters, while Short-tailed Shearwaters are often found in cooler, southern oceans.