Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) Bird Profile

Snow Petrel, the scientific name Pagodroma nivea is interestingly one of three bird species breeding in Antarctica. Snow Petrel has a population of about 4 million adult birds and therefore does not appear to be a concern for endangered bird species.

Snow Petrel Habitat

Snow Petrels, or Pagodroma nivea, have a few different accommodations; The Antarctica Cliffs are found within the continent of Antarctica, Iceberg or anywhere near the Antarctica Sea. They can be spotted early on and probably you can discover them in the crater of the Antarctica Peninsula where they get their food sources, krill and fish. Note that they live in packs of ice covering 10% of the area.

The interior of Antarctica consists of large rock formations of miles of ice that are bound to the extremes of ice or/and ice called the Nunatucks. These are rock formations that can be an ideal location for snow petals. Their nests are essentially cliffs of rock that protect them from deep or Snow Petrel predators or Antarctica weather.

Reproduction

Snow Petrels found in both large and small colonies prefer to breed in colonies that are found in cliffs or inland areas in Antarctica or surrounding islands. Snow Petals have been found more than 2000 times in height and over 270 miles inland.

The breeding season tends to be closer during November. At this point Snow Petrels will look for deep rocks where they can lay their nests or even use a previous nest, nests are simply removing some overhanging rocky areas for some protection.

An egg is given only for eggs that will hatch for about 40 to 50 days, and additionally, the new fillets are bred for about 8 days. The dwarf will now be in the nest for 6 to 7 weeks before being sufficiently developed to escape.

The chances of success are about 50% higher than eggs, but the adult survival rate is more than 90% which contributes to life expectancy over 20 years!

Identifying a Snow Petrel

The predominant and most striking of these bird species is their pure white plumage. They have real dark black eyes and nipples and their legs are gray and blue. The size of adult snow petals can be about 35 to 40 cm in length, up to 80 cm in length, and slightly larger than men’s wives.

Snow Petrel has some other properties, such as abdominal oil, nasal passages that mix in the upper part of their nostrils, and a salt gland at the top of the nasal passages that will take in excess salt, which can be very high.

Snow Petrel fleas have a distinctive plumage that has grayish feathers.

Predators

The main predator that can nest and kill Snow Petrel is Antarctica’s main predator is the skua, the southernmost polar skua. Snow Petrels are aggressive regional birds where they jump, wiggle, or squeeze their wings and spit. Their stomach oil is used to spit out any intruder that spreads a foul odor.

What does a Snow Petrel feed?

Snow Petrel’s main food sources are small fish, krill, carcasses of dead animals such as whales and seals, as well as some other small marine animals. Not only does the stomach oil that is produced serve as a barrier for any predators/intruders, but it will also serve as a small food source that can feed their fleas and their long flight path.

While hunting for their food, they will basically snatch whatever is near the top of the ocean but submerge it in water if necessary.

Snow Petrel Facts

Only in Ice-covered areas with more than 10% ice cover, Antarctica is found as a Snow Petrel habitat.

Lifespan

Snow Petrel can survive up to 20 years

Don’t go too close or you’ll see them spit on their own, they’ll spill some of the oil from their stomachs and their lunch! It has a foul odor but is a good strategy for any predator.

Rather than most birds that bathe in water, they will bathe in the snow to clear their ice.

Squashes and harsh climatic conditions are the leading cause of death.