Northern Macronectes halli and Southern M. giganteus Giant Petrels are similar-looking sister species which can sometimes be difficult to tell apart (click here to access their ACAP Species Assessment texts). The different bill-tip colour (see images below) is the main diagnostic feature.
Scilly Pelagics has published a DVD video with an accompanying 40-page booklet that will help separate these two ACAP-listed species. The production entitled Fulmarine Petrels has been produced by Bob Flood and Ashley Fisher, who are based in the Isles of Scilly in the United Kingdom.
Click here to learn more of this new product.
Also see:
Carlos, C.J. & Voisin, J.-F. 2008. Identifying giant petrels, Macronectes giganteus and M. halli, in the field and in the hand. Seabird 21: 1-15.
John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 26 October 2010