[1] In 2016 further research was published supporting the full species status of the grey-faced petrel.

The bird is completely dark brown except for a variable patch of white near the base of the bill, which is black.

It is a rare vagrant to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, United States.

The great-winged petrel will on occasion follow whales and associate with other related bird species to feed.

Breeding occurs in the southern winter (beginning in April); nests are either solitary or in small colonies, located in burrows or aboveground among boulders or low vegetation.