Wedge-tailed Shearwater vs Sooty Shearwater

In short

The Wedge-tailed Shearwater and Sooty Shearwater are both large seabirds, but they can be distinguished by tail shape and plumage. The Wedge-tailed has a distinctive long, wedge-shaped tail, while the Sooty has a more uniform dark plumage and lacks the wedge-shaped tail.

Identification tips

1. Look for the wedge-shaped tail in Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. 2. Note the uniform dark plumage of Sooty Shearwaters. 3. Observe flight style: Wedge-tailed Shearwaters have a more buoyant glide. 4. Consider habitat: Wedge-tailed in tropical waters, Sooty in cooler regions.

Size

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

Plumage

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters have a light morph with irregularly white undersides of the wings and pale scaly edgings on back feathers. Sooty Shearwaters are uniformly dark with no light morph.

Behaviour

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters have an unhurried flight with buoyant glides and stiff wingbeats, often seen 'contact-dipping' for food. Sooty Shearwaters also glide but are more likely to be seen in large, fast-moving flocks.

Habitat

Wedge-tailed Shearwaters are common in warm tropical waters, while Sooty Shearwaters are often found in cooler waters and migrate long distances.

Voice

Vocalizations are not a primary distinguishing feature in the field for these species.