Common in off-shore and in-shore waters from about Fremantle, WA to about Sydney, NSW (May - October).
Habitat
Marine, pelagic, mainly in sub-Antarctic waters of south-west Indian Ocean, extending into sub-tropical waters in winter and spring. Pelagic and inshore waters near breeding islands and in the non-breeding season.
Antarctica (NB), Argentina (NB), Australia (B), Brazil (NB), Chile (NB), Falkland Islands (Malvinas) (NB), French Southern Territories (B), New Zealand (B), South Africa (B), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (B), Uruguay (NB).
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli) [XC254065]
by Hichem MACHOUK from Prion Island, South Georgia, United Kingdom (call)
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli) [XC293088]
by Dan Lane from South Bay, approx 7 km S, near Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand (call)
Breeding Season (Guide)
Does not breed in Australia. Breeds mostly on sub-Antarctic Islands, including Auckland, Chatham, Campbell, Antipodes and Macquarie Islands (July - February).
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Nest
A depression covered in a rough heap of grass and other plant debris, on the ground. Tends to nest alone in a sheltered area but sometimes mixes with colonies of Southern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes giganteus).
Eggs (Guide)
1; chalky white; ellipsoidal; about 102 x 61 mm. Incubation: about 60 days; by both sexes, in shifts. Usually no replacement laying.
Young
Fledge in about 110 days. Tended by both parents.
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Dark phase juveniles of Southern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes giganteus), with a slightly different bill color.
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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