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Northern Giant Petrel

Macronectes halli

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernVertebratesMarinePlatform nestHuge · 4.2 kg
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 1
Photo: Sergio Garrido Villa · CC BY 4.0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 2
Photo: Sergio Garrido Villa · CC BY 4.0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 3
Photo: Alan Weakley · CC0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 4
Photo: Alan Weakley · CC0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 5
Photo: Thomas Wilson · CC BY 4.0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 6
Photo: Thomas Wilson · CC BY 4.0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 7
Photo: Sebastian Doak · CC BY 4.0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 8
Photo: Sebastian Doak · CC BY 4.0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 9
Photo: Arthur Chapman · CC BY 2.0
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli), photo 10
Photo: unknown · CC BY 4.0

ID tip

The northern giant petrel averages 90 cm (35 in) in length, with a range of 80 to 95 cm (31 to 37 in), possessing a wingspan of 150 to 210 cm (59 to 83 in). Size is somewhat variable and this species is broadly the same size as its southern sister species. The largest-bodied colony is in the South Georgia Islands, where 56 males averaged 4.9 kg (11 lb) and 43 females average 3.72 kg (8.2 lb). The smallest-bodied are on the Chatham Islands, where 19 males averaged 3.66 kg (8.1 lb) and 21 females averaged 2.83 kg (6.2 lb). Overall, weight for the species can range from 2.5 to 5.8 kg (5.5 to 12.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Northern Giant Petrel

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 10 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Northern Giant Petrel

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 9 countries with regular records, and 3 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

New Zealand Chile Australia Argentina South Africa Falkland Islands Uruguay Namibia Peru

Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Brazil, Réunion.

About the Northern Giant Petrel

The northern giant petrel, also known as Hall's giant petrel, is a large, predatory seabird of the southern oceans. Its range overlaps broadly with the range of the related southern giant petrel, albeit slightly further to the north.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) Southern Giant PetrelMacronectes giganteusThe southern giant petrel measures 86 to 99 cm (34–39 in) with a wingspan of 185 to 205 cm (6 ft 1 in – 6 ft 9 in).

Side by side: Northern Giant Petrel vs Southern Giant Petrel

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