Birds
Southern Fulmar
Fulmarus glacialoides · also called Antarctic fulmar
Breeding in enormous cliffside colonies directly on the Antarctic continent itself, a southern fulmar defends its nest with a foul-smelling spray of stomach oil, remaining one of the most numerous seabirds found anywhere around the frozen continent.
Overview
The southern fulmar, Fulmarus glacialoides, is a Least Concern seabird native to ocean and polar habitat across the Southern Ocean, breeding on cliffs around the entire Antarctic coastline. Its circumpolar breeding distribution, enormous overall population, and pungent chemical nest defence make it one of the most ecologically dominant and widely encountered seabirds found anywhere in Antarctic waters.
A circumpolar presence in enormous numbers
Encircling the entire Antarctic continent with breeding colonies, the southern fulmar has turned some of the harshest, most exposed cliffs on Earth into home for millions of birds, a scale of success matched by very few other species willing to nest this far south.
Status
Least Concern, remaining extremely abundant and stable across its circumpolar Antarctic breeding range.
Southern Fulmar: common questions
How does the southern fulmar defend its nest?
This species defends its nest by spitting a foul-smelling stomach oil at intruders, a defence mechanism shared with several related tube-nosed seabirds across the Southern Ocean.
How many southern fulmars are there?
This species is one of the most numerous seabirds found anywhere around Antarctica, with a total population estimated in the millions of individuals across its circumpolar breeding range.
Where does the southern fulmar breed?
This species breeds in enormous colonies on cliffs and rocky slopes directly on the Antarctic continent itself, in a circumpolar pattern entirely around the coastline rather than at just one location.
Why does the southern fulmar follow ships?
This species is frequently seen following ships and fishing vessels because it scavenges food scraps and fishery discards, taking advantage of an easy and reliable food source across the Southern Ocean.