Northern Giant Petrel
NameNorthern Giant Petrel
Common NameNorthern Giant Petrel
Scientific NameMacronectes halli
FamilyProcellariidae
Wingspan (cm)195
Length (cm)87.5
Weight (g)4700
Plumage DetailsAdults are generally dark grey-brown with a paler, often whitish, face and neck, which becomes more prominent with age. Juveniles are uniformly dark. The bill is pale yellowish-pink with a distinctive greenish tip.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of harsh, guttural croaks, grunts, and hisses, particularly when competing for food or at breeding colonies. They can also produce loud cackles and screams.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on subantarctic islands in the Southern Ocean, including South Georgia, Macquarie Island, and the Crozet Islands. It ranges widely across the southern oceans, reaching subtropical waters and occasionally venturing into the Northern Hemisphere.
Identifying FeaturesLarge size among petrels, Massive, pale yellowish-pink bill with a greenish tip, Prominent nasal tube on bill, Dark plumage with often paler head/neck in adults, Heavy, powerful flight
Description
The Northern Giant Petrel is a large, dark seabird known for its massive bill and scavenging habits. It spends most of its life at sea, coming to subantarctic islands only to breed, often seen preying on other birds or feeding on carrion.
