Cape Petrel

Description:

An unmistakable petrel. Black head and neck, with white underside. The undersides of the wings are white with a black border. The back and upper wings have the beautiful white-and-black checkerboard pattern, and the tail is white with a black band along the tip. Fairly small, probably about the size of a black-headed gull. They feed primarily on small crustaceans, mainly krill. They followed our ship in large flocks, and are very numerous.

Habitat:

Open ocean, but returning to land for breeding. Found throughout the Southern Ocean, right down to the Antarctic continent.

Notes:

One of the most common birds on my trip, they would hang around in large flocks. Also one of my favourites!