Atlas of the Patagonian Sea

Species

Northern Giant Petrel

Northern Giant Petrel

Macronectes halli

Regional Nesting Sites: Sub-Antarctic islands, specifically South Georgia, Prince Edward, Crozet, Kerguelen and Macquarie Island; and also at Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes and Chatham Island (New Zealand).

Diet: Females feed principally on live prey from the ocean (crustaceans, cephalopods and fish), whereas males are scavengers (remains of marine mammals and penguins). They follow fishing fleets to feed on discards and commonly try to eat the bait on fishing lines.

World breeding population: Estimated at 11,500 pairs.

Conservation Status: Near threatened (IUCN, 2008).

Main threats: Incidental mortality in longline fisheries.