Southern giant petrel

Description

The marine antarctic marine ( Macronectes giganteus ),also known as giant petrel or giant common petrel,is a bird of the family Procellariidae that inhabits a very extensive natural distribution,including all the seas of the Southern Hemisphere,from the coasts of Antarcticauntil the Tropic of Capricorn.It is the size of an albatross,having a somewhat hunchbacked aspect in flight.Unlike other petrels,which crawl on their legs on the ground,it is quite agile on land.It feeds mainly on marine animals although it also eats carrion on land or hunts smaller seabirds.The breeding colonies are located on islands or on the coast.It is seen at a great distance from the coasts.It is one of the broadest varieties of petrels.The petrels are characterized by their low flight.Among the petrels,the marine marine is the largest.Of length it reaches almost one meter and the wings achieve an extension that exceed two meters.In contrast to its relatives,most of the other petrels and the tubinaries in general,this bird,besides feeding on fish and squid,eats carrion.It also attacks the nests of other birds,including penguins,other petrels and albatrosses.