Snow Petrel

The Snow Petrel is the only member of the genus Pagodroma. It is one of only three birds that breed exclusively in Antarctica and has been seen at the South Pole. It has the most southerly breeding distribution of any bird.

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The Snow Petrel is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The snow petrel, an all-white species, is about 16 inches (41 cm) long. Both inhabit subantarctic regions. Storm petrels make up the family Hydrobatidae; diving petrels, the family Pelecanoididae. The giant petrel and snow petrel belong to the shearwater family, Procellariidae. Wilson's petrel is Oceanites oceanicus; the common diving petrel, Pelecanoides urinatrix; the giant petrel, Macronectes giganteus; the snow petrel, Pagodroma nivea. Related TopicsAlbatross Albatross, a seabird. More

The Snow Petrel is the only member of the genus Pagodroma. It is one of only three birds that breed exclusively in Antarctica and has been seen at the South Pole. It has the most southerly breeding distribution of any bird. Contents - * 1 Taxonomy * 1.1 Sub-species * 1. More

Distribution and abundance of Snow Petrels in the Antarctic Entry ID: SCAR_Snow_Petrels Summary The Snow Petrel Pagodroma nivea is endemic to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, with a circumpolar breeding distribution. A comprehensive review of both the published literature and unpublished records revealed that Snow Petrels have been reported breeding at 298 localities, all of which are mapped. Breeding has been confirmed at 195 of these localities, is probable at 38 and ... More

Snow Petrels, ghostly birds of pack ice in southern latitudes, have become increasingly common at Cape Crozier as the sea ice breaks up this spring. We are seeing so many, in fact, that they may be nesting somewhere nearby. Breeding has never been confirmed on Ross Island, so the game is on: we must find a nest! Easier said than done, of course. Snow Petrels lay their eggs in crevices on inaccessible cliffs. There are plenty of cliffs around here. More

Snow Petrel Down Under chronicles the amazing journey of the Tucker family - Matt, his brother Ben and father Jon - as they push Ben's 34 foot yacht Snow Petrel to her limits on a journey south. This incredible voyage makes Snow Petrel the smallest vessel to have ever travelled to the windiest place on Earth, Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica. The documentary reveals an intimate and unique view of this somewhat unusual family holiday. More

Snow Petrel in flight.Snow Petrel Photo: Gary Miller Vital Statistics - Scientific name: Pagodroma nivea Physical description: Snow petrels are an all white, small fulmarine petrel with conspicious dark eyes, small black bill and bluish gray feet. There are two subspecies of snow petrel that differ only in size. More

Snow Petrel in nest cavity Quick Facts: Population: 1000 breeding pairs Location: Antarctic peninsula & continent Wingspan: 1. More

Snow petrels sitting on ice Snow petrels frequent Antarctica and the surrounding seas. They feeds out at sea, but breed on the coast and spend the winter on the pack ice. They've even been spotted at the South Pole. Watch video clips from past programmes (1 clip) - In order to see this content you need to have an up-to-date version of Flash installed and Javascript turned on. More

Aspects of the topic snow petrel are discussed in the following places at Britannica. Assorted References * description (in petrel (bird)) ...Cape pigeon (Daption capensis), a sub-Antarctic species about 40 centimetres (16 inches) long, marked with bold patches of black and white. The snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea), 35 cm, a pure white species, and the Antarctic petrel (... More

5/ Why are these snow petrels hanging around the edge of this tide crack? 3/ Why are these snow petrels hiding down a hole? 1/ What are snow petrels like? Snow petrels are pure white birds with black beaks and eyes. They are the size of a pigeon and arguably the most beautiful of all the Antarctic birds. In their appearance and behaviour, they symbolize the very essence of the deep south. More

1/ Snow petrel (Pagrodama nivea) adult pair at nest entrance = Back to gallery Back to snow petrel thumbnails Next Previous Unusually for Antarctic birds, snow petrels seem to apply some thought to the practicalities of a nest site. This pair are at the entrance to their nest which has been made in a natural crevice amongst some large broken-up rocks. More

Snow petrel on flight. Overview Size: 80 cm of reach Weight: 200 to 300 g Distribution: continent and Antarctic islands Reproduction areas on the archipelago: all the main islands The all-white snow petrel (Pagodroma nivea), about the size of a pigeon too, nests under rocks and, like the Cap petrel above, defends its nest by actively throwing up on intruders ('you'). More

The Snow Petrel is the only member of the genus Pagodroma]], and a member of the sub-family Fulmarine petrels. They in turn are all members of the Procellariidae family, and the Procellariiformes order. They all share certain identifying features. First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called naricorns. Although the nostrils on the Albatross are on the sides of the bill. More

The Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) is a small, pure white fulmarine petrel with black underdown, coal-black eyes, small black bill and bluish gray feet. Body length is 36 to 41 centimeters (14" More

"Whenever you see the Snow petrels you can be sure that the ice is close by, bergs or the pack; out of the mist they flit, hover a moment to pick a minute scrap from the water alongside the ship, and silently vanish like ghosts into the half-gloom. More

Snow Petrels feed mainly on fish, some cephalopods, mollusks and krill as well as carrion. During the winter they disperse to the pack ice, ice floes and the open sea. Flocks are characteristically seen sitting on icebergs. Only very rarely are they observed north of the pack ice. Like many petrels these birds squirt waxy, yellowish stomach oil at nest intruders. This oil stinks of fish and is extremely difficult to remove. They are known to live 14 to 20 years. More

The Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) is a small, pure white fulmarine petrel with black underdown, coal-black eyes, small black bill and bluish gray feet. Body length is 36 to 41 centimeters (14 More

Order : Procellariiformes
Family : Procellariidae
Genus : Pagodroma
Species : nivea
Authority : (Forster, 1777)