Photo: François Guerraz / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Antarctic Petrel
Thalassoica antarctica
Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 708 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Procellariiformes
- Family Procellariidae Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels
- Genus Thalassoica
- Species antarctica
Quick facts
- Weight
- 708 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Antarctic Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Antarctic Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) is a species of bird in the Procellariidae family, part of the order Procellariiformes. Its range spans Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers SO, AN islets, coasts and to 300 km inland in Antarctica.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 708 g, with a wing length of about 29.6 cm and a tail of around 11.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 58.6 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Antarctic Petrel?
The Antarctic Petrel is a large bird that weighs around 708 g.
Where does the Antarctic Petrel live?
The Antarctic Petrel is found across Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering SO, AN islets, coasts and to 300 km inland in Antarctica, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Antarctic Petrel belong to?
The Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Antarctic Petrel eat?
The Antarctic Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Antarctic Petrel migrate?
The Antarctic Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Antarctic Petrel endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Antarctic Petrel make?
1 real field recording of the Antarctic Petrel — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Antarctic Petrel's range?
The Antarctic Petrel has a mapped global range of about 58.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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