southern fulmar

southern fulmar
Name	Southern fulmar
Status	LC
Status system	IUCN3.1
Genus	Fulmarus
Species	glacialoides
Authority	(Andrew Smith, 1840)
Range map caption	Breeding range (blue) and year-round range (dark blue) of the southern fulmar

southern fulmar. The southern fulmar (*Fulmarus glacialoides*) is a robust seabird of the Southern Ocean, belonging to the family Procellariidae. It is a close relative of the northern fulmar and is a characteristic species of the cold Antarctic and subantarctic waters. This bird is known for its powerful flight and its presence around pack ice and upwelling zones rich in marine life.

Description and taxonomy

The southern fulmar was first formally described by the Scottish surgeon and zoologist Andrew Smith in 1840. It is placed within the order Procellariiformes, which includes albatrosses, shearwaters, and petrels. Morphologically, it is a stout-bodied bird with a wingspan typically ranging from 102 to 112 centimeters. Its plumage is predominantly pale grey and white, with a distinctive white head and darker grey wings, making it distinguishable from the generally darker Antarctic petrel. The bill is stout and pale with a prominent tubular nostril, a characteristic feature of the family Procellariidae that aids in salt excretion and olfaction. The species exhibits limited geographic variation, with no recognized subspecies.

Distribution and habitat

The southern fulmar has a circumpolar distribution throughout the Southern Ocean, primarily south of the Antarctic Convergence. Its breeding colonies are scattered on islands and mainland cliffs on the Antarctic continent, including sites on the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, and South Orkney Islands. Key breeding locations include Cape Hallett in Victoria Land and Paulet Island in the Weddell Sea. Outside the breeding season, individuals range widely across the Southern Ocean, often associating with the edge of the pack ice and venturing north to the waters around South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and occasionally as far as the southern coasts of South America and New Zealand.

Behavior and ecology

This species is highly pelagic, spending the vast majority of its life at sea. Southern fulmars are strong, direct fliers, often observed gliding low over wave troughs. They are gregarious at sea, frequently forming loose flocks, especially around productive feeding grounds and fishing vessels. Like other procellariiforms, they possess a highly developed sense of smell, which is crucial for locating food across vast ocean expanses. They are known to follow ships and are attracted to offal discards. During the breeding season, they become highly vocal at colony sites, producing a variety of cackles and guttural calls used in territorial and courtship displays.

Diet and feeding

The diet of the southern fulmar is predominantly composed of krill, particularly species of the genus *Euphausia*, along with other crustaceans, squid, and small fish. They also readily scavenge on carrion and fishery waste. Feeding typically occurs by surface-seizing, where the bird snatches prey from the water's surface while in flight, or by shallow plunging. They often feed in areas of high productivity associated with upwelling, polynyas, and the marginal ice zone, where Antarctic krill aggregate. Their foraging trips during the breeding season can extend hundreds of kilometers from the colony.

Reproduction and life cycle

Southern fulmars are colonial breeders, nesting on steep, rocky cliffs and slopes that provide protection from predators and easy take-off. They exhibit strong nest-site fidelity. The breeding season begins in late October or November with a single, large white egg laid in a simple scrape. Both parents share incubation duties for approximately 45 to 50 days. After hatching, the chick is brooded for a short period and then fed by regurgitation by both adults. The chick fledges after about 50 to 60 days, typically in late March or April. Sexual maturity is reached at around 6 to 12 years of age, and they are long-lived birds, with lifespans potentially exceeding 40 years.

Conservation status and threats

The southern fulmar is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its large, stable population and extremely wide range. The global population is estimated to be several million individuals. Major breeding colonies are often located in remote areas within the Antarctic Treaty System, affording them some protection. Potential threats include climate change, which may alter the distribution and abundance of their krill prey, and interactions with commercial fisheries through bycatch and competition for resources. Long-term monitoring is conducted by organizations like the British Antarctic Survey and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research to track population trends.

Category:Procellariiformes Category:Birds of the Southern Ocean Category:Birds of Antarctica