Photo by derekh42
- Thalassoica antarctica
Identification
- Chocolate-brown upperparts
- Wings have a broad white trailing edge
- White tail with a brownish-black tip
- Underparts white, apart from dark throat and leading edge to wing
Distribution
Antarctic seas and Antarctica
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Pack-ice, icebergs, ice floes. Breeding more than 200 km away from the coast at nunataks on the inland glaciers.
Behaviour
Diet
The diet includes krill and other crustaceans, and small fish.
Breeding
They nest in clefts, crevices and on ledges on sloping rocky cliffs in snow-free areas. Nest is situated directly open on ground, lined with small stones and gravel. One egg is laid and incubated for 45-48 days; the young fledge after a further 42-47 days.
References
- Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Antarctic Petrel. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 10 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Antarctic_Petrel
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
