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[[File:Fulmar.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The southern fulmar on water]] | [[File:Fulmar.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The southern fulmar on water]] | ||
The '''southern fulmar''' (''Fulmarus glacialoides'') is a seabird of the Southern Hemisphere. Along with the northern fulmar, ''F. glacialis'', it belongs to the fulmar genus ''Fulmarus'' in the family ''Procellariidae'', the true | The '''southern fulmar''' (''Fulmarus glacialoides'') is a seabird of the Southern Hemisphere. Along with the northern fulmar, ''F. glacialis'', it belongs to the fulmar genus ''Fulmarus'' in the family ''Procellariidae'', the true petrels. It is also known as the Antarctic fulmar or silver-grey fulmar. | ||
It is largely pale grey above and white below with a distinctive white patch on the wing. It breeds on the coast of [[Antarctica]] and on surrounding islands, moving north in winter. It nests in colonies on cliffs, laying a single egg on a ledge or crevice. Its diet includes [[krill]], fish and squid picked from the water's surface. | It is largely pale grey above and white below with a distinctive white patch on the wing. It breeds on the coast of [[Antarctica]] and on surrounding islands, moving north in winter. It nests in colonies on cliffs, laying a single egg on a ledge or crevice. Its diet includes [[krill]], fish and squid picked from the water's surface. | ||
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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
[[File:Fulmar-flight.jpg|thumb|right|A southern fulmar in flight]] | [[File:Fulmar-flight.jpg|thumb|right|A southern fulmar in flight]] | ||
It is a fairly large, bulky | It is a fairly large, bulky petrel, 45 to 50 cm (18–20 in) long with a wingspan of 110 to 120 cm (43–47 in). The male has an average weight of 795 g (28.0 oz) while the smaller female weighs around 740 g (26 oz). These weights increase to 1,005 and 932 g (35.5 and 32.9 oz) at the start of a shift incubating the eggs.[4] The male has a wing length of 34 cm (13 in), bill length of 44.6 mm (1.76 in), tarsus length of 52.1 mm (2.05 in) and tail length of 12.4 cm (4.88 in). The female has a wing length of 33.9 cm (13.3 in), bill length of 43 mm (1.69 in), tarsus length of 51.5 mm (2.03 in) and tail length of 12.1 cm (4.8 in). | ||
The bird flies with a mixture of shallow flaps and long glides, often looking down to scan the water. The wings are fairly broad and rounded and are held stiff. The plumage is mainly pale silvery-grey above and white below. The head is white with a pale grey crown. The wingtips are blackish with a large white patch and the wings have a dark rear edge. The legs and feet are pale blue. The bill is pink with a black tip and dark bluish naricorns. First-year birds have a more slender bill than the adults. | The bird flies with a mixture of shallow flaps and long glides, often looking down to scan the water. The wings are fairly broad and rounded and are held stiff. The plumage is mainly pale silvery-grey above and white below. The head is white with a pale grey crown. The wingtips are blackish with a large white patch and the wings have a dark rear edge. The legs and feet are pale blue. The bill is pink with a black tip and dark bluish naricorns. First-year birds have a more slender bill than the adults. | ||
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Food is usually picked from the surface of the water but the bird will occasionally dive. | Food is usually picked from the surface of the water but the bird will occasionally dive. | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Birds]] | ||
[[Category:Animals of Westarctica]] | [[Category:Animals of Westarctica]] | ||