Head to head
New Zealand Storm-petrel vs Wilson's Storm-petrel
New Zealand Storm-petrel
VS Wilson's Storm-petrel
Both are small storm-petrels, but one is defined by extreme rarity and rediscovery while the other may be almost impossibly abundant.
| New Zealand Storm-petrel | Wilson's Storm-petrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Fregetta maoriana | Oceanites oceanicus |
| Distinguishing claim | Believed extinct for a century, rediscovered in 2003 | Possibly the most numerous seabird on Earth |
| Population | Small, only recently confirmed breeding | An estimated tens of millions |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Unknown | Stable |
| Range | The Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand | Nearly every ocean worldwide |
| Belly pattern | A distinctive white belly patch | Not documented as distinctively patterned |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean, polar |
New Zealand Storm-petrel vs Wilson's Storm-petrel: common questions
Which one was believed extinct for over a century?
The New Zealand storm-petrel was believed extinct this way, with no confirmed sightings from the mid-1800s until its dramatic rediscovery at sea in 2003.
Which one might be the most numerous seabird on Earth?
Wilson's storm-petrel is considered a strong candidate for this title, with an estimated population in the tens of millions, far exceeding the tiny, only recently confirmed New Zealand storm-petrel population.
Which one has the more restricted range?
The New Zealand storm-petrel has the far more restricted range, confined to the Hauraki Gulf and nearby waters, unlike Wilson's storm-petrel, which ranges across nearly every ocean in the world.