Southern fulmar

Southern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) adults are approximately 46-50cm in length and have a wing span of 1.1 to 1.2m. They have a pink bill which is black at the tip and pinkish-blue feet and legs. The sexes are alike and there is no seasonal variation in plumage.

Southern fulmars breed in colonies on the Antarctic Peninsula and on the Antarctic continent. They also breed on the South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, South Georgia, Bouvet and Pete 1.

Southern fulmars nest on rocky ledges of steep coastal cliffs. Their nests are made of stone chips. Adults return to their colonies in October. Eggs are laid in November and December and chicks fledge in March and April.

Only one egg is laid by a pair in a breeding season. Skuas may take some abandoned eggs and chicks, but extreme weather conditions are much more significant causes of egg and chick mortality.

During the winter months, Southern fulmars move north away from the pack ice, commonly reaching as far north as 10°S, but only where they follow colder currents along the western coasts of southern continents.

Southern fulmars are gregarious birds, often travelling, feeding and resting in large flocks. They are believed to feed nocturnally and they rarely follow ships. Southern fulmars feed at the surface on euphasiids and other crustaceans, and some squid and fish.

Links

Taxonomic information on the Southern fulmars

Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) projects relating to Southern fulmars

Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny

Monitoring for long-term or cumulative impacts in Southern Ocean seabirds [Research project details]

See more information on the Australian Antarctic scientific research program