Southern Giant Petrel

A Southern Hemisphere scavenger

The southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) is found in the Southern Hemisphere on islands and the coasts of southern Australia, New Zealand, southern South America and Antarctica.

Appearance

As the name suggests this is a large bird, weighing up to 11 pounds (5kg), up to 39 inches (99 cm) in length and with a wingspan of 78 inches (2 metres) — males are larger than females. The plumage is brownish overall, darker on the lower underparts and much paler on the head and neck. The heavy bill is yellow.

Behaviour and feeding

Southern giant petrels feed on the carcasses of marine mammals, such as seals, that are washed up on shorelines. They can also be seen following trawlers and scooping fish from the surface that have been thrown overboard.

Breeding

Southern giant petrels nest on grassy islands in colonies of up to 300 pairs. A single egg is laid on a grassy mound or pile of stones. The chick is slow to develop and may not fledge until it is around 20 weeks old. It may not be ready to breed until its eighth year.

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