Bird · GBIF taxon 2481600
Snow Petrel
Pagodroma niveaAlso known as Snowy Petrel
Snow petrels are pristine white seabirds that spend their entire lives in the icy waters and pack ice of Antarctica. They nest in protected cliff crevices up to 100 kilometers inland, where breeding pairs perform synchronized aerial courtship displays above the snow. When threatened on the nest, adults project a foul-smelling stomach oil to deter potential predators.
SeabirdPolarPiscivore
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Antarctic Krill
- Lanternfish
- Squid
Predators
- South Polar Skua
- Leopard Seal
ThreatsSea ice loss, climate change, and human disturbance near colonies
HabitatsAntarctic pack ice, icebergs, and rocky cliffs
Life span15–20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyProcellariidae
- SpeciesPagodroma nivea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a respectful distance without disturbing nesting sites.
- What to notice
- Look for a stark white seabird with a short black bill, dark eyes, and black legs flying near pack ice.
- Support conservation
- Maintain a generous distance from breeding colonies and avoid approaching crevices where birds are nesting.
Responsible observation
- Binocular Observation: Use high-powered optics to view flying adults from expedition vessels without causing distress.
- Colony Etiquette: Maintain at least 15 meters from nesting crevices on land during the breeding season.
Predator (c) Kimberley Collins, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kimberley Collins · cc-by
Primary Prey (c) Krill666.jpg, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative 
Close Relative (c) Wikimedia Commons, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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