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[[File:Snow Petrel-1.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Snow petrel resting on a rock]] | |||
The '''snow petrel''' (''Pagodroma nivea'') is the only member of the genus ''Pagodroma''. It is one of only three birds that breed exclusively in [[Antarctica]] and has been seen at the geographic [[South Pole]]. It has the most southerly breeding distribution of any bird. | The '''snow petrel''' (''Pagodroma nivea'') is the only member of the genus ''Pagodroma''. It is one of only three birds that breed exclusively in [[Antarctica]] and has been seen at the geographic [[South Pole]]. It has the most southerly breeding distribution of any bird. | ||
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They differ in size, and the greater form has a stouter, larger beak. | They differ in size, and the greater form has a stouter, larger beak. | ||
== | ==Name== | ||
[[File:Pagodroma nivea.jpg|thumb|right|Snow petrel in flight]] | |||
The issue of taxonomy and nomenclature for this species is complex, and represents an example of many of the unusual problems which arise from the varied use of the terminology. | The issue of taxonomy and nomenclature for this species is complex, and represents an example of many of the unusual problems which arise from the varied use of the terminology. | ||
The snow petrel was first named ''Procellaria nivea'' by Georg Forster, during Captain James Cook's third voyage in 1777. As Forster's mention of the petrel was only an observation, the authority of the name fell to Gmelin, in his Systema Naturae. Incidentally, a skin was procured by Cook, who noted this in his own account | The snow petrel was first named ''Procellaria nivea'' by Georg Forster, during Captain James Cook's third voyage in 1777. As Forster's mention of the petrel was only an observation, the authority of the name fell to Gmelin, in his Systema Naturae. Incidentally, a skin was procured by Cook, who noted this in his own account. J. R. Forster painted a picture of it, and made measurements, as well, but only the latter were published, posthumously, by M. H. K. Lichtenstein in 1844. While Gmelin was recognized as the authority for P. nivea until the early 20th century, the evidence has allowed for Forster to be construed as such, as he had created the name. In addition, Latham had described the type, which was in the Leverian Museum, but did not invoke Forster's scientific name for it. | ||
Charles Lucien Bonaparte, in his ''Conspectus Generum Avium'', volume II (1857), designated two subspecific binomial terms with no further descriptions to them: ''Pagodroma major'' and ''Pagodroma minor''. Contrary to Mathews in ''Novitates Zoologicae'' (1934), the two names do not represent alternative, new names for ''P. nivea'', but are subspecies, as well as ''nomen nudum'', on account of their being listed similar to how other subspecies Bonaparte listed in the Conspectus. Bonaparte also created the generic name ''Pagodroma'', in the Paris academic journal ''Compte Rendu''s (1856). James Francis Stephens (General Zoology, 1826) equated ''Pagodroma nivea'' in the genus ''Daption'', Heinrich Reichenbach (Avium Systema Naturale, 1852) included it in the genus ''Thalassoica'', and George Robert Gray (Hand-list of the Birds, 1871) included it in the genus ''Fulmarus''. | Charles Lucien Bonaparte, in his ''Conspectus Generum Avium'', volume II (1857), designated two subspecific binomial terms with no further descriptions to them: ''Pagodroma major'' and ''Pagodroma minor''. Contrary to Mathews in ''Novitates Zoologicae'' (1934), the two names do not represent alternative, new names for ''P. nivea'', but are subspecies, as well as ''nomen nudum'', on account of their being listed similar to how other subspecies Bonaparte listed in the Conspectus. Bonaparte also created the generic name ''Pagodroma'', in the Paris academic journal ''Compte Rendu''s (1856). James Francis Stephens (General Zoology, 1826) equated ''Pagodroma nivea'' in the genus ''Daption'', Heinrich Reichenbach (Avium Systema Naturale, 1852) included it in the genus ''Thalassoica'', and George Robert Gray (Hand-list of the Birds, 1871) included it in the genus ''Fulmarus''. | ||
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===Breeding=== | ===Breeding=== | ||
[[File:Poussin de pétrel des neiges.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Snow petrel chick]] | |||
Breeding occurs in colonies on the [[Antarctic Peninsula]], and various Antarctic islands throughout [[Westarctica]]. Nesting is colonial in small to large colonies on cliffs, usually near the sea, but also inland. Some birds remain at the colony all year, but the main influx at colonies is from the mid-September until early November. Nests are simple pebble-lined scrapes usually in a deep rock crevices with overhanging protection. One white egg is laid between late November and mid-December. The egg is incubated 41 to 49 days and the chick is brooded for 8 days. They fledge 7 weeks later in late February to mid-May. Colonies are also the sites of cleaning areas where snow petrels, far from the sea, bathe in snow. | Breeding occurs in colonies on the [[Antarctic Peninsula]], and various Antarctic islands throughout [[Westarctica]]. Nesting is colonial in small to large colonies on cliffs, usually near the sea, but also inland. Some birds remain at the colony all year, but the main influx at colonies is from the mid-September until early November. Nests are simple pebble-lined scrapes usually in a deep rock crevices with overhanging protection. One white egg is laid between late November and mid-December. The egg is incubated 41 to 49 days and the chick is brooded for 8 days. They fledge 7 weeks later in late February to mid-May. Colonies are also the sites of cleaning areas where snow petrels, far from the sea, bathe in snow. | ||