Snow Petrel

Image: <table style="margin: 1.5em auto; font-size: 0.9em; width: 100%; background-color: #ccc; border: 2px solid #aaa; padding: 1px;" cellspacing="10"> <tbody><tr> <td><i><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/P%C3%A9trel_des_neiges_-_Snow_Petrel.jpg" class="internal" title="Pétrel des neiges - Snow Petrel.jpg"><b>This illustration</b></a> <b>was made by</b> </i><b><a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ehquionest" class="mw-redirect" title="User:Ehquionest"><b>Samuel Blanc</b></a></b><i>.</i> <p>If you plan on using it, an email to samuel @ sblanc.com would be greatly appreciated. </p> </td></tr></tbody></table> (CC BY-SA 3.0)

NameSnow Petrel

Common NameSnow Petrel

Scientific NamePagodroma nivea

FamilyProcellariidae

Wingspan (cm)85

Length (cm)38.5

Weight (g)355

Plumage DetailsThe plumage is entirely pure white across all body parts, including the head, body, wings, and tail. The eyes are dark brown to black, and the bill is small and black. The legs and feet are also dark.

Vocalization / CallVocalizations include harsh, grating calls, often described as 'kark-kark-kark' or 'creaking' sounds, particularly around breeding colonies. They can also produce softer cooing sounds.

Primary Dietcarnivore

Primary Habitatspelagic, coastal, polar, rocky islands, ice floes

Conservation Statusleast-concern

Geographic RangeCircumpolar in the Antarctic region, breeding on rocky outcrops and islands along the Antarctic coastline and on sub-Antarctic islands. Spends the non-breeding season at sea, often associated with pack ice.

Identifying Featuresentirely white plumage, black eyes, small black bill, Antarctic distribution, often seen near ice

Description

The Snow Petrel is a striking, medium-sized seabird entirely covered in pure white plumage, perfectly camouflaged against its icy Antarctic habitat. It possesses black eyes and a small black bill, and is highly adapted to extreme cold, often seen flying over pack ice or nesting on rocky Antarctic coasts.

Related Bird species

Cedar Waxwing

African Sacred Ibis

Sandhill Crane

Kookaburra

Emperor Penguin

Satyr Tragopan