Slender-billed Prion
Belcher 's Petrel ( Pachyptila belcheri )
The Belcher 's Petrel ( Pachyptila belcheri ), also called thin-billed Petrel, is a monotypic species of the family of the petrels. The IUCN classified the species as uncritical ( least concern ), since the distribution area is very large and the stock appears stable. The world population is estimated to at least 7 million mature individuals.
Appearance
The Belcher 's Petrel reaches a body length of 25 to 26 centimeters. The wing length is 16.6 to 19.1 inches and the wingspan of 56 centimeters. The weight is 115-180 grams. Males tend to be slightly larger than the females. The biggest difference is in the beak length.
The body top is blue-gray with a narrow dark band on the tail. A darker "M" extending transversely to the wings, but it is formed as it is weaker in the case of other prions. The white of the face extends to over eyes. A dark eye stripe extends to the neck. The body underside is white. The breast sides are pale light gray. Confusion possibilities with all Walvögelarten.
Dissemination
The Belcher 's Petrel breeds on the Falkland Islands, Kerguelen, the Crozet Islands and possibly also on South Georgia. 1984, a large breeding colony on Isla Noir was discovered off the coast of southern Chile. Outside the breeding season the Belcher Petrel comes up against to Java, West Australia, Western Peru, southern Brazil and South Africa.
Way of life
The Belcher 's Petrel eats mostly crustaceans, cephalopods and small fish. On the high seas, he is usually observed in swarms. He is regularly associated with the pigeons Petrel.
The Belcher 's Petrel breeds in self-dug burrows. These have a length of between 60 centimeters and 3.5 meters. In the Falkland Islands, the burrows are located 15-190 meters above sea level. The actual nest cavity is lined with grass and feathers. In the Falkland Islands, the adult Belcher - petrels return in September to their breeding colonies. The actual breeding season begins in November, when the Belcher - petrels place. The nest consists of a white -shelled egg. The incubation period is 46-47 days. The young birds fledge at an age 49-50 days. During the breeding season breeding birds of the Falkland Islands find their food on the continental shelves to the east and south of the Falkland Islands. Both parents birds are equally involved in the breeding and rearing of young birds. Pull large only clutches per year.
On the Kerguelen of Belcher 's petrel seems to stand with blue petrels in a Nistplatzkonkurrenz.