Fauna
Bird

Southern Giant-Petrel

Macronectes giganteus

Also known as Antarctic Giant Petrel, Giant Fulmar, Stinker, Stinkpot

Southern giant petrels dominate the skies and waters of the Southern Ocean, acting as apex scavengers and formidable oceanic predators. Equipped with powerful hooked bills featuring pale green tips, they feast heavily on seal and penguin carcasses while also hunting squid, fish, and smaller seabirds. Breeding pairs assemble in loose colonies on windswept subantarctic islands, aggressively defending their nests by spitting foul stomach oil at intruders.

PelagicSeabirdOceanic
Southern Giant-Petrel reference1 / 7
(c) Richard Giddins, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPenguins, Seal carcasses, Squid
Predators
  • Brown Skua
  • Snowy Sheathbill
  • Orca
ThreatsLongline fishing bycatch, marine plastic pollution, climate change
HabitatsOpen ocean, Antarctic and subantarctic islands
Life span15–30 years
Classification
  1. FamilyProcellariidae
  2. SpeciesMacronectes giganteus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Nesting birds spit rank stomach oil and deliver powerful defensive bites if approached too closely.
What to notice
Recognizable as giant, dark brown or mottled grey petrels with pale green bill tips resting on windswept coastal ground.
Support conservation
Maintain a strict distance of at least 15 meters, remain low, and avoid making abrupt movements near nesting areas.
Responsible observation
  • Pelagic Viewing: Observe from ocean vessels using binoculars or high-speed telephoto lenses.
  • Maintain Nesting Distance: Stay well back from breeding colonies to prevent stress and defensive oil spitting.
Related species
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