Snow Petrel
A species of Snow Petrel Scientific name : Pagodroma nivea Genus : Snow Petrel
Snow Petrel, A species of Snow Petrel
Botanical name: Pagodroma nivea
Genus: Snow Petrel
Content
Description General Info
Description
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 cm (14–16 in) and the wingspan is 76 to 79 cm (30–31 in). Flight is more fluttering than most petrels. They are known to live 14 to 20 years.
Size
40 cm
Feeding Habits
Snow Petrel primarily consume fish, cephalopods, krill, and mollusks, including scavenging on seal placentas and carcasses. They forage on pack ice, ice floes, and open sea, often seen on icebergs. They exhibit unique scavenging behavior uncommon in similar species.
Habitat
The habitat of snow Petrel is marine, predominantly associated with regions of pack ice with ice cover ranging between 10-50%. These birds are habitually found resting on icebergs or ice floes rather than on open water. Their breeding grounds are on coastal cliffs and rocky faces, often positioned facing the prevailing winds to minimize snow accumulation at the nest-sites.
Dite type
Carnivorous
General Info
Behavior
Snow petrels are almost entirely restricted to cold Antarctic waters. Flocks are characteristically seen sitting on icebergs.
Species Status
The snow petrel has an occurrence range of 35,900,000 km (13,861,067 sq mi), and an estimated population of 4 million adult birds. Based on these numbers, the IUCN has classified this bird as least concern.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Albatrosses and Petrels Family
Shearwaters and petrels Genus
Snow Petrel Species
Snow Petrel