Description
& Characteristics:
Antarctic
Fulmars are a southerly species with a circumpolar distribution
at sea and are commonly found on pack ice fringes. They breed
in large colonies on the islands off the Antarctic Peninsula,
the South Orkneys and South Sandwiches, and along the Antarctic
coastline. During the winter months, they move north away
from the pack ice, commonly reaching as far north as 10°
S, but only where they follow cold currents along the western
coasts of southern continents. The "Southern" Fulmar
has very similar appearance to the Northern Fulmar, although
it is slightly smaller than its northern hemisphere counterpart.
Antarctic
Fulmars are readily identified by their pale silver-grey plumage,
white head and black-tipped flight feathers. Their bills are
pink with a black tip and they have pinkish-blue feet and
legs. Outer wings have a a distinctive white rectangle. The
dark eye is also a distinguishing feature. The sexes are alike
and there is no seasonal variation in plumage color.
Antarctic
Fulmars are gregarious birds, often travelling, feeding and
resting in large flocks or "rafts". Food is caught
by surface-seizing and occasionally by shallow dives. Opportunists,
Fulmars will also scavenge for carrion. They are believed
to feed nocturnally, rarely following ships, as many other
Antarctic bird species do. Fulmar flight, which is similar
to petrels, involves
gliding and soaring with stiff wings.
Fulmars breed on rock ledges of steep coastal cliffs, often
in large and dense colonies. They arrive at their southern
colonies and establish sites on open scree or rock ledges
in October. Their nests are made of stone chips built into
a rough circular shape. Eggs are laid in early December and
hatch in mid-January. Only one egg is laid by a pair in a
breeding season. Chicks fledge in early March at around 52
days old. Skuas
may take some abandoned eggs and chicks, but extreme weather
conditions are much more significant causes of egg and chick
mortality.
