Birds
South Georgia Diving-petrel
Pelecanoides georgicus · also called South Georgia diving petrel
Whirring its wings rapidly to fly underwater in pursuit of tiny planktonic prey, a South Georgia diving-petrel is the smallest of all the diving-petrel species, breeding in burrows scattered across some of the most remote islands in the Southern Ocean.
Overview
The South Georgia diving-petrel, Pelecanoides georgicus, is a Least Concern seabird native to ocean and coastal habitat across scattered subantarctic islands in the South Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and South Pacific. Its status as the smallest diving-petrel species, its whirring underwater flight, and its widely dispersed breeding range make it one of the more physically specialised small seabirds found across the Southern Ocean.
Small enough to disappear underwater
Compact even by diving-petrel standards, the South Georgia diving-petrel trades the long, gliding flight typical of most seabirds for a stockier build suited to swimming, letting it chase prey beneath the waves in a way few other flying birds can manage.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and generally stable across its scattered subantarctic breeding islands, though some colonies remain vulnerable wherever introduced predators gain access.
South Georgia Diving-petrel: common questions
How does the South Georgia diving-petrel compare in size with other diving-petrels?
This species is the smallest of all the diving-petrel species, noticeably more compact than its closest relatives, an adaptation suited to underwater flight rather than efficient gliding.
How does the South Georgia diving-petrel catch its prey?
This species swims underwater using rapid, whirring wingbeats to pursue small planktonic crustaceans, bursting directly from the waves back into flight without pausing on the surface.
Where does the South Georgia diving-petrel breed?
This species breeds in burrows across several widely separated subantarctic island groups, including South Georgia, Kerguelen, Crozet, and islands south of New Zealand.
What threatens the South Georgia diving-petrel?
This species faces significant predation pressure from introduced rats and cats on some breeding islands, a threat that has contributed to localised population declines at affected colonies.