Southern Fulmar

Informazioni

The Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) is a medium-sized seabird of the family Procellariidae, characterized by its robust build, stiff-winged flight, and distinctive tubular nostrils. It is a pelagic species, spending most of its life at sea, primarily in the Southern Ocean. Known for its ability to eject stomach oil as a defense mechanism, it is a common and widespread species in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters.

Dimensioni e longevità

Lunghezza

45-50 cm

Apertura alare

110-120 cm

Peso

700-1000 g

Longevità

Up to 20-30 years in the wild

Dieta

Carnivore (primarily krill, fish, squid, and carrion)

Caratteristiche fisiche

Piumaggio

Adults are predominantly white on the head, neck, and underparts, with a pale grey mantle and upperwings. The primary feathers are darker, forming a distinct dark trailing edge to the wing. A diagnostic white patch is present at the base of the primaries on the upperwing. The tail is white. Juveniles are similar to adults but may have a slightly duller appearance.

Forma del becco

Robust, hooked bill with prominent tubular nostrils (characteristic of Procellariiformes). The bill is pinkish-blue to greyish-blue with a black tip and a black line along the cutting edge of the upper mandible.

Colore degli occhi

Dark brown

Colore delle zampe

Pale pinkish-grey to bluish-grey

Caratteristiche distintive

The combination of white head and underparts, pale grey upperparts, a distinct white patch at the base of the primaries on the upperwing, and a robust, bicolored bill with tubular nostrils are key identification features. Its stiff-winged flight style, often gliding on bowed wings, is also characteristic.

Aspetto giovanile

Juveniles are very similar to adults, perhaps slightly duller overall, but lack any distinct juvenile plumage. They attain adult plumage after their first molt.

Cambiamenti stagionali

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Breeding and non-breeding plumages are identical.

Dimorfismo sessuale

None significant; sexes are monomorphic in plumage and size.

Come identificare

1. 1

   Plumage

   Look for the clean white head, neck, and underparts contrasting with pale grey upperparts. The dark trailing edge of the wing and the diagnostic white patch at the base of the primaries on the upperwing are crucial.

2. 2

   Bill

   Observe the robust, bicolored bill: pinkish-blue to greyish-blue with a black tip and a black line along the upper mandible. The prominent tubular nostrils are characteristic of petrels.

3. 3

   Flight

   Note its stiff-winged, gliding flight, often with shallow wing beats. It appears buoyant and graceful, utilizing dynamic soaring over ocean waves.

4. 4

   Size and Shape

   A medium-sized, robust petrel. Its overall proportions and flight profile are distinct from smaller or larger petrel species.

Habitat e areale

Biomi

Marine, pelagic, coastal (during breeding)

Areale geografico

Circumpolar in the Southern Ocean. Breeds on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands and continental Antarctica. Non-breeding range extends north to the subtropics, reaching as far as the coasts of South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

Fascia altitudinale

Sea level to coastal cliffs for breeding

Ambienti preferiti

Open ocean, particularly over continental shelves and oceanic fronts rich in prey. During breeding, they prefer ice-free cliffs, rocky outcrops, and scree slopes on islands and the Antarctic continent.

Comportamento

Periodo di attività

Diurnal, though feeding can occur at night, especially when targeting bioluminescent prey like squid or krill.

Abitudini alimentari

Opportunistic feeder, primarily surface-feeding, but also performs shallow dives. Diet consists mainly of krill, small fish (e.g., myctophids), squid, and scavenged offal from fishing vessels or marine mammal carcasses. Often feeds in association with whales and seals.

Comportamento sociale

Highly colonial during the breeding season, forming dense colonies on cliffs. Outside the breeding season, they are largely pelagic and can be found singly or in loose aggregations at rich feeding grounds, often associating with other seabirds and marine mammals.

Tipo di volo

Characterized by a stiff-winged, gliding flight, often with shallow wing beats. They utilize dynamic soaring, efficiently riding air currents over the ocean waves. Appears buoyant and graceful in flight, often banking steeply.

Migrazione

Highly migratory. After breeding, adults and juveniles disperse northward into temperate and subtropical waters of the Southern Hemisphere, often reaching latitudes of 30-40°S. They return to breeding grounds in the austral spring.

Territorialità

Territorial around the nest site during breeding, defending a small area immediately surrounding the nest from conspecifics and other species. Less territorial at sea.

Riproduzione

Stagione riproduttiva

Austral summer, typically from November to April. Eggs are laid from late November to early December.

Abitudini di nidificazione

Nests are typically shallow scrapes or depressions on bare ground, rocky ledges, or scree slopes, often lined with small stones or pebbles. They breed in large, dense colonies on cliffs and rocky outcrops, often alongside other seabirds.

Dimensione della covata

1 egg

Descrizione dell'uovo

A single, large, dull white egg, sometimes with faint reddish-brown speckles. Dimensions average around 70 x 50 mm.

Periodo di incubazione

Approximately 45-50 days, shared by both parents.

Periodo di involo

Chicks fledge after about 50-55 days, typically in late February to March.

Cure parentali

Both parents share incubation duties and feed the chick by regurgitation. Parental care continues until the chick fledges.

Dove trovarlo

Consigli sul campo

1. Scan the horizon. When at sea, continuously scan the horizon and the wake of the vessel for birds. Southern Fulmars often follow ships.
2. Look for feeding aggregations. They often congregate at rich feeding grounds, sometimes with other seabirds, whales, and seals. Look for areas with increased marine activity.
3. Observe flight style. Their stiff-winged, gliding flight is distinctive. Learn to recognize this flight pattern to pick them out from other petrels.
4. Binoculars/Spotting Scope. Essential for detailed observation of plumage features, especially the bill color and wing patterns, from a distance.

Specie simili

Fatti rapidi

Defense Mechanism:

Can eject foul-smelling stomach oil at predators or perceived threats.

Diet Specialization:

Highly reliant on krill, making it an important indicator species for the health of the Antarctic ecosystem.

Longevity:

One of the longer-lived seabirds, with individuals recorded living over 30 years.

Global Population:

Estimated to be in the millions, making it one of the most abundant seabirds in the Southern Ocean.

Curiosità

• The name 'fulmar' comes from Old Norse 'fúll már' meaning 'foul gull', referring to their habit of spitting stomach oil.
• They have a highly developed sense of smell, which they use to locate food sources, including carrion and krill patches, over vast distances at sea.
• Southern Fulmars are known to follow fishing vessels for discarded offal, which can sometimes lead to incidental mortality from fishing gear.
• Despite their robust appearance, they are incredibly agile flyers, capable of navigating strong Antarctic winds with ease.

Classificazione scientifica

Regno

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Classe

Aves

Ordine

Procellariiformes

Famiglia

Procellariidae

Genere

Fulmarus

Specie

glacialoides

Esplora Southern Fulmar