Head to head
Northern Giant Petrel vs Southern Giant Petrel
Northern Giant Petrel
VS Southern Giant Petrel
These two giant petrels are so alike that telling them apart usually comes down to a single detail on the bill.
| Northern Giant Petrel | Southern Giant Petrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Macronectes halli | Macronectes giganteus |
| Bill tip colour | Reddish | Greenish |
| Breeding range | Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic islands | Further south into Antarctic-adjacent waters |
| Colour form | Not documented with a white morph | A rare, nearly all-white colour form exists |
| Diet | Omnivorous scavenger and predator | Omnivorous scavenger and predator |
| Defence | Sprays foul-smelling stomach oil | Sprays foul-smelling stomach oil |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean, coastal | Ocean, coastal, polar |
Northern Giant Petrel vs Southern Giant Petrel: common questions
How can you tell the two giant petrels apart?
The clearest way is the bill tip colour, the northern giant petrel has a reddish tip while the southern giant petrel has a greenish tip, since the two species otherwise look extremely similar.
Which one breeds further south?
The southern giant petrel breeds further south, extending into more Antarctic-adjacent waters, while the northern giant petrel remains across the Southern Ocean and sub-Antarctic islands.
Which one has a rare white colour form?
The southern giant petrel is the one with this trait, occasionally occurring in a rare, almost entirely white colour form, a variation not documented in the northern giant petrel.