Snow Petrel

Snow Petrel ( Pagodroma nivea )

The snow petrel ( Pagodroma nivea ) is a species of bird in the family of the petrels ( Procellariidae ).

Features

With a body length of 36-41 cm and a wingspan of 76-79 cm, it is one of the smaller members of this family. It is characterized by a pure white plumage and a black beak and dark gray feet. With its bat-like wings, he is very mobile. Very rarely it can be observed beyond the pack ice of the Antarctic Sea.

Way of life

Snow petrels are 14 to 20 years old. They feed on small fish and carrion.

The breeding takes place on the Antarctic mainland and on some Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands such as the Bouvet Island, or belonging to the South Orkneys Coronation Island. The brooding there Pagodromae niveae helped the nearby lying 1265 m high Mount Nivea to its name. Occasionally, he broods on several hundred kilometers inland, the, protruding from the ice mountains of the Antarctic continent, such as the from the coast about 110 km from the Norwegian Polar Grjotlia surveys nearest station Troll Stasjonen.

The birds return to their breeding grounds in November back. Only one egg is incubated for 41 to 49 days. The nestling period lasts 41 to 54 days. Danger threatens the chicks both skuas and unfavorable weather conditions.