Birds
Grey Petrel
Procellaria cinerea · also called pediunker
Choosing the depths of the Southern Hemisphere winter to breed, a grey petrel raises its chicks through some of the coldest, stormiest months of the year, an unusual timing among Southern Ocean seabirds that sets it apart from nearly all of its relatives.
Overview
The grey petrel, Procellaria cinerea, is a pale-plumaged seabird native to ocean habitat across the Southern Ocean, breeding on scattered remote sub-Antarctic islands. Its unusual winter breeding schedule, vulnerability to longline fishing bycatch, and naturally slow reproductive rate make it one of the more ecologically distinctive and conservation-relevant seabirds found anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere.
Choosing the hardest season to raise young
While most Southern Ocean seabirds time their breeding to avoid the worst of winter, the grey petrel does the opposite entirely, raising its single chick through some of the harshest weather the region has to offer, a strategy whose exact advantages remain only partly understood.
Status
Near Threatened, with populations declining in parts of their range due to longline fishing bycatch and predation by introduced species on some breeding islands.
Grey Petrel: common questions
Why does the grey petrel breed in winter?
This species breeds during the depths of the Southern Hemisphere winter, an unusual timing among Southern Ocean seabirds that leaves its chicks growing through some of the coldest, stormiest months of the year rather than the milder summer season most other seabirds choose.
Why is it called the grey petrel?
This species has pale grey upperparts contrasting with white underparts, a colour pattern distinctive enough among Southern Ocean seabirds to give the species its common name.
Why is the grey petrel considered Near Threatened?
This species faces significant mortality from longline fishing operations, becoming hooked while attempting to take bait set for target fish species, alongside predation pressure from introduced species on some breeding islands.
Does the grey petrel raise its chicks quickly?
No, this species has an unusually long incubation and chick-rearing period compared with many other seabirds, contributing to a naturally slow reproductive rate that makes population recovery more difficult.