What are giant petrels?
The larger of the two species, the southern giant petrel is distinguished by its two plumage: dark and white; the white plumage makes up as much as 15% of some breeding populations.
The southern giant petrel, as its name suggests, is the southern half of the giant petrel family. Both species are found in the same geographic region across much of the Southern Ocean, but the southern giant petrel is more closely associated with Antarctica. It breeds primarily in the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as along the southern coast of South America and Antarctica. The giant petrel, the largest member of its family (Procellariidae), has a unique feeding behavior. It feeds mainly on carrion, foraging for it by scouring the coastal waters of the Southern Ocean for the carcasses of seals and penguins washed ashore.
The giant petrel is known as "Jib," "GP," or even "Stink" among former seal hunters. This nickname stems from a common seabird habit of regurgitating on anything that approaches and appears threatening. These birds build their traditional Antarctic nests using small stones, but they accumulate a much larger quantity than, for example, penguins. They can be very sensitive during the breeding season and tend to abandon the nest if they experience any significant disturbance. For example, they have abandoned former nesting sites near Antarctic bases, where penguins and other birds have continued to use the area under the same conditions.
These birds spend most of their time foraging and are often found near the carcasses of seals or whales.
There are two types of giant petrels: the more common type, which is dark gray-brown with a head and neck that become lighter with age, and the less common type, which is much lighter, mostly white with black spots.
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