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.
© John Welford
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