Cape petrel
Cape petrel (Daption capense) are distinctively patterned black-and-white on their upperparts, while their underparts are mostly white. The chin and throat are blackish and the tail has a blackish tip. The underwing is white with black margins, and the bill, legs and feet are all black.
Cape petrel breed in colonies on the Antarctic continent, subtemperate islands near New Zealand and on subantarctic islands, in the South Atlantic and the South Indian Oceans.
Cape petrel are distributed across a much wider area of the Southern Ocean than are Antarctic petrel and Southern fulmars. In the winter months, Cape petrel reach Australian seas as far north as 27°S on the east coast and on the west coast to Carnarvon (24°S).
The population and breeding status of Cape petrel is satisfactory. At some locations feral cats and rats harass the birds during breeding season , but the inhospitable nature of their nesting habitat protects them from serious depredation.
Cape petrel lay one white egg in November - early December. They are unable to recognise their own eggs, and Snow petrel chicks have been observed to be reared by Cape petrel.
Cape petrel generally do not start breeding until they are at least 5 years old.
Cape petrel persistently follow ships and boats to take discarded scraps and offal.
Cape petrel feed mainly on krill, squid and small fish. They also scavenge on carcasses.
Links
Taxonomic information on Cape petrel
Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) relating to Cape petrel
Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny
Monitoring for long-term or cumulative impacts in Southern Ocean seabird
See more information on the Australian Antarctic scientific research program
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