Head to head
Cape Petrel vs Antarctic Petrel
Cape Petrel
VS Antarctic Petrel
Both petrels are common Southern Ocean seabirds, but one is known for its bold pattern and ship-following habit, the other for how far inland it breeds.
| Cape Petrel | Antarctic Petrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Daption capense | Thalassoica antarctica |
| Plumage pattern | Bold, checkered black-and-white | A brown-and-white pattern |
| Breeding location | Steep coastal cliffs | Deep within the Antarctic interior |
| Colony size | Large colonies | Colonies of hundreds of thousands of pairs |
| Notable behaviour | Frequently follows ships | Not documented as following ships |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar | Ocean, polar |
Cape Petrel vs Antarctic Petrel: common questions
Which one breeds furthest into the Antarctic interior?
The Antarctic petrel breeds furthest inland, forming colonies of hundreds of thousands of pairs on rock outcrops deep within the Antarctic continent, further south than almost any other flying bird.
Which one is known for following ships?
The Cape petrel is the one well known for this, frequently trailing ships across the Southern Ocean to scavenge food scraps, a habit not documented in the Antarctic petrel.
How do their plumage patterns differ?
The Cape petrel has a bold, checkered black-and-white pattern across its wings and back, while the Antarctic petrel instead has a plainer brown-and-white pattern.