Snow Petrel
Pagodroma nivea
Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 268 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 Pagodroma
- Species nivea
Where it lives
Satellite islets, coasts and to 440 km inland in Antarctica
Quick facts
- Weight
- 268 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Snow Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Snow Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) is a member of the Procellariidae family, within the order Procellariiformes. It is found across Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers SO, AN satellite islets, coasts and to 440 km inland in Antarctica.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 268 g, with a wing length of about 24.8 cm and a tail of around 10.5 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 36 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Snow Petrel?
The Snow Petrel is a large bird that weighs around 268 g.
Where does the Snow Petrel live?
The Snow Petrel is found across Antarctica and Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering SO, AN satellite islets, coasts and to 440 km inland in Antarctica, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Snow Petrel belong to?
The Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Snow Petrel eat?
The Snow Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Snow Petrel migrate?
The Snow Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Snow 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 Snow Petrel make?
1 real field recording of the Snow Petrel — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Snow Petrel's range?
The Snow Petrel has a mapped global range of about 36 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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