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A pair of Northern giant petrels (Macronectes halli) in Elsehul Bay, South Georgia

by Gregory "Slobirdr" Smith

#northern giant petrel #petrels #seabirds #birds #macronectes halli #macronectes #procellariidae #procellariiformes #aves #chordata #wildlife: south georgia islands #wildlife: antarctica

Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli)

#northern giant petrel #macronectes halli #procellariidae #procellariiformes #evan lipton #birds

*i drive up to the Full Frontal Birds drive-thru* *my arm is hanging out the window very cool* can i get some giant petrels to go. dont forget the sauce

Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli)

Southern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)

#ask box #northern giant-petrel #macronectes halli #procellariidae #procellariiformes #birds #jodi webber #paul lynch #paul brooks #southern giant-petrel #macronectes giganteus #tresa moulton #randy morgan

BROWN SKUAS VIDEOED STEALING EGGS FROM UNDERNEATH INCUBATING NORTHERN GIANT PETREL

Northern Giant Petrels Macronectes halli are one of the earliest breeding species on Bird Island, South Georgia (Islas Georgias del Sur)* with first eggs laid between 13 and 18 September 2014 in a study area which contains approximately 300 nests. Around 60 pairs of Brown or Subantarctic Skuas Catharacta antarctica also nest in the area, being absent for the coldest months of winter, and returning in early to mid-September. At this time the ground is often frozen and snow-covered; Gentoo Pygoscelis papua and Macaroni Eudyptes chrysolophus Penguins have yet to lay and Antarctic Fur Seals Arctocephalus gazella have not yet given birth, so there is very little terrestrial food available for skuas.

In recent years skuas have been seen harassing giant petrels and this spring two instances of egg theft have been caught on camera.

The video clip (from 24 September 2014) shows a single skua jumping from side to side, tugging at a female giant petrel’s tail and wings, encouraging it to stand and climb off the nest. This is complicated by the presence of a second giant petrel (not the partner of the incubating bird), but when he leaves the skua is able to steal the egg after dragging her away by her outstretched wing.

In this second video clip (from 23 September 2014) a pair of skuas is seen working together. The first skua drops in behind a male giant petrel sitting tight on its egg, and tugs at its tail feathers before calling to the second bird. As the second skua appears in front of the petrel the first skua resumes tugging on the tail. In an effort to reach its assailant the petrel stands and twists a little, giving just enough time for the second skua to snatch the egg out from under it and fly away.

Video clip provided by Jerry Gillham.

More: ACAP

Look at this marine avian dinosaur!!!!! Giant Petrels (genus Macronectes) consists of two species. They are very aggresive predators. Both southern and northern giant petrel feed on krill, squid, fish, other small seabirds, and carcasses of marine mammals. Northern giant petrel scavenge and prey on seal pups and placentae, penguins and albatross. However, they rely more heavily on fish during winter months.

Is know that these birds kill hundreds of Rockhoppers a year sometimes just for pleasure (comment by Tristan da Cunha Conservation Department)

First and seconf pic by Low de Vries and Giant petrel (Macroectes halli) cleaning up the beach (Photo: Dave Bone) and last pic, Southern giant petrel, dark morph by Jaimie Cleeland

see this past post about behavior on this genus