The snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea ) is the only member of the genus Pagodroma. It is one of only three birds that has been seen at the Geographic South Pole, along with the Antarctic petrel and the south polar skua, which have the most southerly breeding sites of any bird, inland in Antarctica.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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PiscivoresA piscivore is a carnivorous animal that eats primarily fish. Piscivorous is equivalent to the Greek-derived word ichthyophagous. Fish were the die...
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ScavengerScavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While sc...
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SeabirdSeabirds (also known as marine birds) are birds that are adapted to life within the marine environment. While seabirds vary greatly in lifestyle, b...
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Pelagic birdsPelagic birds live on open seas and oceans rather than inland or around more restricted waters such as rivers and lakes. They feed on planktonic cr...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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Soaring birdsSoaring birds can maintain flight without wing flapping, using rising air currents. Many gliding birds are able to "lock" their extended wings by m...
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SeabirdSeabirds (also known as marine birds) are birds that are adapted to life within the marine environment. While seabirds vary greatly in lifestyle, b...
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SemiaquaticSemiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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FlockingFlocking birds are those that tend to gather to forage or travel collectively. Avian flocks are typically associated with migration. Flocking also ...
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Partial MigrantPartial migration is when within a migratory species or even within a single population, some individuals migrate while others do not.
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Snow WhiteThe Snow petrel is one of only three bird species that breed in Antarctica. This small but beautiful seabird is pure white in color and has black underdown, coal-black eyes, a small black bill, and bluish-gray feet.
Snow petrels breed on the Antarctic Peninsula and various Antarctic islands which include South Sandwich Islands, Géologie Archipelago, South Georgia Islands, and other islands of the Scotia Arc. Some birds remain at the colony all year, while others range north at sea and return to the colonies from mid-September until early November. Snow petrels are almost entirely restricted to cold Antarctic waters; they frequently roost on icebergs and nest on cliffs, usually near the sea, but also inland.
Snow petrels are gregarious birds. During the winter, they disperse to the pack ice, ice floes, and the open sea where flocks are often seen sitting on icebergs. Snow petrels are agile fliers that hunt by day; they fly close to the surface and may make shallow dives to catch their prey. They may even feed together with whales and other petrels. Snow petrels are usually silent when at sea, but will communicate with twittering calls when fishing in flocks. They also cluck, screech, and make harsh, guttural sounds when on land.
Snow petrels are carnivores (piscivores) and scavengers. They feed mainly on fish, some cephalopods, mollusks, and krill, as well as carrion in the form of seal placentas, dead/stillborn seals, whale carcasses, and dead penguin chicks.
Snow petrels are monogamous and once paired partners are faithful for life. The breeding season starts in late October-early November and eggs are usually laid between late November and mid-December. Snow petrels nest in small to large colonies on cliffs. Nests are simple pebble-lined scrapes usually in deep rock crevices with overhanging protection. The female lays one white egg which is incubated for 41 to 49 days. Once hatched the chick is brooded for 8 days and fledges 7 weeks later in late February to mid-May.
Snow petrels are widespread throughout their range and are not considered threatened at present. However, in the future, these birds may suffer from climate change that will reduce the sea-ice cover and may cause a decrease in prey in some areas.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total Snow petrel population size is over 4,000,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...