Southern Giant Petrel

Chris Linder, a cinematographer and photographer on the AQ Team, managed to capture a shot of this magnificent Southern Giant Petrel (Maconectes giganteus).  If you look closely, you’ll see the nostrils extend along the top of the beak.

Southern Giant Petrel (Photo credit: Chris Linder)

For additional information on the Southern Giant Petrel, also known as the Antarctic Petrel, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Giant_Petrel and http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3870.

Additional reading can be found in Brooke, M. Albartosses and Petrels across the World. (Oxford University Press, 2004). Thanks to Beth Simmons for species identification.