Snow petrel

The snow petrel is the only member of the genus Pagodroma. It is one of only three birds that have been seen at the Geographic South Pole, along with the Antarctic petrel and the south polar skua, which has the most southerly breeding sites of any bird, inland in Antarctica.

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Distribution

Region

Antarctica and the Southern Ocean

Typical Environment

Breeds on rocky outcrops, cliffs, and nunataks across the Antarctic continent and offshore islands. At sea it ranges widely over the Southern Ocean, often near the pack-ice edge, leads, and polynyas. Frequently seen around icebergs and in coastal waters during the breeding season. Outside breeding, it disperses pelagically over cold Antarctic and subantarctic waters.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2400 m

Climate Zone

Polar

Characteristics

Size30–35 cm

Wing Span75–95 cm

Male Weight0.35 kg

Female Weight0.32 kg

Life Expectancy20 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The snow petrel is the sole member of the genus Pagodroma and is one of only three birds recorded at the Geographic South Pole. It breeds on rocky cliffs and nunataks across Antarctica, sometimes far inland. Like many petrels, it can eject a waxy stomach oil to deter predators and fuel long flights. Its pure white plumage provides superb camouflage against ice and snow.

Gallery

Snow petrel, P. nivea in Ross Sea

Pagodroma nivea – MHNT

Snow petrel chick

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary to loosely gregarious at sea; colonial at breeding sites

Flight Pattern

buoyant flier with rapid stiff wingbeats and low glides over waves

Social Behavior

Breeds in colonies on cliffs and rock crevices, typically laying a single egg. Pairs are largely monogamous and both adults share incubation and chick rearing. Strong nest-site fidelity and defensive behavior near the nest, including stomach-oil ejection.

Migratory Pattern

Seasonal migrant

Song Description

At colonies, it gives harsh, cackling and chattering calls used in pair bonding and territorial displays. It is mostly silent while at sea.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Snow pigeon

The snow pigeon is a species of bird in the genus Columba in the family Columbidae from hilly regions of central Asia. They are grey, black, pale brown and white birds and two subspecies are recognised: C. l. leuconota occurs in the western Himalayas from western Afghanistan to Sikkim and C. l. gradaria occurs in the mountains of eastern Tibet and from eastern Nan Shan (Qinghai) to Yunnan and extreme northern Myanmar. The birds forage in open country in pairs or small groups, feeding on grain, buds, shoots, berries and seeds. They roost at night on cliffs, breeding in crevices where they build untidy stick nests and lay a clutch of usually two white eggs. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated the bird's conservation status as being of least concern.

Snowy albatross

The snowy albatross, also known as the wandering albatross, white-winged albatross, or goonie, is a large seabird from the family Diomedeidae; they have a circumpolar range in the Southern Ocean. It is the largest species of albatross and was long considered to be the same species as the Tristan albatross and the Antipodean albatross. Together with the Amsterdam albatross, it forms the wandering albatross species complex, which some began referring to more recently as "snowy".

Snowy egret

The snowy egret is a small white heron. The genus name comes from Provençal French for the little egret, aigrette, which is a diminutive of aigron, 'heron'. The species name thula is the Mapudungun term for the black-necked swan, applied to this species in error by Chilean naturalist Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782.