Northern giant-petrel

Northern giant-petrel (Macronectes halli) are dark grey, whitish on the face and chin, and mottled white on the head, neck and breast. Their plumage becomes paler and more mottled as they age. Adults have a conspicuous pale grey iris, whereas juveniles have dark ones.

Northern giant-petrel are regular visitors to southern Australian and South African waters in winter and spring. They usually arrive in Australian waters about 1month earlier than do Southern giant-petrel.

Northern giant-petrel breed on subantarctic islands and South Georgia, between 46°and 54°S. Northern giant-petrel do not breed on the Antarctic continent.

Northern giant-petrel arrive at their colonies from early August to September and lay one egg. During the breeding period, males undertake a larger part of the incubation and guard duties than do the females. Chicks fledge from February to March.

Eggs and chicks can be lost by desertion, trampling by adults and predation by skuas.

Northern giant-petrel scavenge and prey on seal pups and placentae, penguins and albatross. However, they rely more heavily on fish during winter months.

Links

Taxonomic information on the Northern giant-petrel

Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) projects relating to Northern giant-petrel

Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny

Monitoring for long-term or cumulative impacts in Southern Ocean seabirds

See more information on the Australian Antarctic scientific research program