Blue Petrel
A species of Blue Petrel Scientific name : Halobaena caerulea Genus : Blue Petrel
Blue Petrel, A species of Blue Petrel
Botanical name: Halobaena caerulea
Genus: Blue Petrel
Content
Description General Info
Description
The blue petrel's plumage is predominantly blue-grey, with an "M" banding across its top, which is similar to that of other prions. It also has a white-tipped tail. Its bill is smaller than that of other prions. It is 28 centimetres (11 in) in length with a wing span of 66 centimetres (26 in).
Size
32 cm
Nest Placement
Burrow
Feeding Habits
Blue Petrel predominantly consumes krill, alongside crustaceans, fish, and squid. It is capable of diving to 6 meters for prey, showcasing specialized foraging techniques.
Habitat
The blue Petrel thrives in marine and pelagic habitats, prominently spread across the subantarctic and Antarctic cold oceanic waters. Their breeding grounds are predominantly on remote oceanic islands where they nest on coastal slopes, usually enveloped by thick tussock grass, favoring the lower areas that are close to the sea.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
The blue petrel inhabits the southern oceans ranging as far north as South Africa, Australia and portions of South America. They mostly only breed in a narrow latitudinal band from 47° to 56° S on either side of the Antarctic Polar Front. Nesting on subantarctic islands, such as Marion Island, the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island, South Georgia, Prince Edward Island. In 2014 a breeding colony was discovered on Gough Island (40° S, 10° W), central South Atlantic Ocean, more than 700 km north of its known and usual breeding range. Breeding here appears to take place later than at colonies farther south, so although the discovery is recent it does not necessarily represent a recent range extension.
Species Status
The blue petrel has a very large range and an estimate population of 3,000,000 adult birds and thus it is rated as Least Concern, by the IUCN.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Albatrosses and Petrels Family
Shearwaters and petrels Genus
Blue Petrel Species
Blue Petrel