The Antarctic petrel is a boldly marked dark brown and white petrel, found in Antarctica, most commonly in the Ross and Weddell Seas. They eat Antarctic krill, fish, and small squid. They feed while swimming but can dive from both the surface and the air.
Region
Antarctica and Southern Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on exposed, ice-free cliffs and rocky nunataks across coastal and inland Antarctica, often forming very large colonies. At sea it frequents the pack-ice margin, polynyas, and open leads, where krill and small fish aggregate. It regularly roosts on ice floes and forages over cold Antarctic waters, rarely venturing far north of the Antarctic Convergence. After breeding, birds disperse widely across the Southern Ocean but remain associated with productive, ice-influenced waters.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2000 m
Climate Zone
Polar
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Antarctic petrel is one of the few birds that breeds entirely within the Antarctic zone, nesting on ice-free cliffs and nunataks in immense colonies. It is boldly patterned dark brown and white and is adept at feeding along pack-ice edges and polynyas. Skilled at both surface-seizing and plunge-diving, it can enter the water from flight or the surface to pursue krill and small fish. Outside breeding, it ranges widely across the Southern Ocean.
Temperament
social and colonial
Flight Pattern
strong flier and soaring glider with swift, stiff wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies on bare rock, often far inland on nunataks and cliffs. Pairs are largely monogamous, laying a single egg that both parents incubate and later feed by regurgitation. Outside the breeding season, birds form loose flocks and may raft on ice near feeding areas.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Mostly silent at sea; around colonies it gives harsh, chattering calls and guttural croaks used in pair bonding and territorial displays. Vocalizations are brief and carry well in windy conditions.
Plumage
Boldly contrasting dark brown upperparts and head with clean white underparts; upperwings dark with a prominent white panel and underwings white with broad dark borders.
Diet
Feeds primarily on Antarctic krill, small fish such as Antarctic silverfish, and small squid. Takes prey by surface-seizing, pattering, and short plunge-dives from the air. It can also dive from the surface, using its wings to pursue prey underwater. Opportunistically exploits dense swarms near the ice edge and in polynyas.
Preferred Environment
Forages along pack-ice margins, open leads, and polynyas where upwelling and ice-edge productivity concentrate prey. Often associates with ice floes for resting between feeding bouts and uses cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Southern Ocean.
