Head to head
White-chinned Petrel vs Grey Petrel
White-chinned Petrel
VS Grey Petrel
Both petrels belong to the same genus and face similar fishing-related threats, but each has its own distinguishing trait.
| White-chinned Petrel | Grey Petrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Procellaria aequinoctialis | Procellaria cinerea |
| Distinguishing feature | A small patch of white feathers at the chin | Pale grey upperparts and white underparts |
| Breeding timing | Not documented as unusual | Breeds during the depths of Southern Hemisphere winter |
| Main threat | Among the seabirds most affected by longline bycatch | Vulnerable to longline fishing bycatch |
| Vessel-following behaviour | Readily follows fishing vessels | Not specifically documented as vessel-following |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Near Threatened |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
White-chinned Petrel vs Grey Petrel: common questions
Which one breeds during the harshest part of the year?
The grey petrel is the one with this unusual timing, breeding during the depths of the Southern Hemisphere winter, unlike the white-chinned petrel, which is not documented following such an extreme schedule.
Which one is more frequently killed as fishing bycatch?
The white-chinned petrel is documented as among the seabirds most frequently killed as longline bycatch, though the grey petrel also faces significant mortality from the same fishing practices.
How can you tell the two petrels apart?
The white-chinned petrel has a small patch of white feathers at the base of its bill against otherwise dark plumage, while the grey petrel instead has pale grey upperparts contrasting with white underparts.