Blue Petrel

Spending all but the breeding season out to sea, these sole claimants of the genus Halobaena dash across the water to gain speed before liftoff

Blue Petrel

Name: Blue Petrel (Halobaena caerulea)

Length: 30 cm.

Weight: 200 grams.

Location: Sub Antarctic.

Conservation status: Least Concern.

Diet: Crustaceans, squid, fish.

Appearance: White undersides and face, blue-grey topsides. Black mask around eyes. Black bill. White tip on tail. Darker M spreading across front of wings from wingtip to wingtip.

How do Blue Petrels feed?

Blue Petrels are divers, diving as deep as 6 metres. They also feed by dipping while swimming. They can sometimes be found tracking whale movements as the whales will drive prey fish towards the surface of the water, making it easier for the birds to catch them.

Are Blue Petrels social?

Blue Petrels form large colonies come the breeding season.

How fast do Blue Petrels fly?

Blue Petrels usually fly at a rate of around 11 metres per second.

What are Blue Petrel birthing rituals like?

The Blue Petrel breeding season begins around the middle of September. They are monogamous. The nests are burrows dug into tussocks.

One egg is laid sometime in October. The parents take turns incubating the eggs for around 50 days. The hatchling will fledge after another 55 or so days.

How long do Blue Petrels live?

Blue Petrels live for about 20 years.

How many Blue Petrels are there today?

The worldwide Blue Petrel population stands at roughly 3,000,000 individuals.

Do Blue Petrels have any natural predators?

Blue Petrel eggs and young are targeted by Skuas. They can also be preyed upon by rats and cats depending on their breeding location.

7 Bountiful Blue Petrel Facts

  • Blue Petrels are the only species within the genus of Halobaena.
  • Blue Petrels are one example of bird that produces a foul-smelling stomach oil that is stored in a special section of the stomach called the proventriculus. This oil is used to feed themselves while on long flights, feed their young, or it can be sprayed at predators.
  • Also like some other birds Blue Petrels have a gland that is used to secrete a saline solution in order to compensate for all the salt ingested due to their feeding in ocean waters.
  • “Petrel” refers to Saint Peter and the Biblical story of his walking on water. In order to take off Petrels require a long “runway” across the ocean’s surface. As they get up to speed they appear to run on the water.
  • Blue Petrels are pelagic (they live at sea) and only come ashore during their breeding season.
  • Blue Petrel flocks are often intermixed with other species like Thin-billed Prions, Antarctic Prions, and Salvin’s Prions.
  • Blue Petrels are mainly nocturnal during the breeding season.

Cruceros relacionados

Antártica – Campamento Base

El mejor viaje de la actividad en la Antártida

HDS21a24 El crucero Campamento Base a la Península Antártica le ofrece una miríada de maneras de explorar y disfrutar de la región Antártica. Esta expedición le permitirá realizar caminatas, utilizar raquetas de nieve, andar en kayak e incluso acampara bajo los...

m/v Hondius

El Hondius

Fecha del crucero:

1 nov. - 13 nov., 2024

Amarres a partir de

8800 USD

Mar de Weddell – En busca del pingüino Emperador, incl. Helicópteros

En busca de los Pingüinos Emperador

OTL22-24 Una verdadera expedición, nuestro crucero al Mar de Weddell explorará el hábitat del pingüino Emperador en las proximidades de la isla Cerro Nevado. Visitaremos el área en helicópteros y veremos una variedad de otras aves que incluyen pingüinos Adelia...

m/v Ortelius

El Ortelius

Fecha del crucero:

10 nov. - 20 nov., 2024

Amarres a partir de

12100 USD

Mar de Weddell – En busca del pingüino Emperador, incl. Helicópteros

En busca de los Pingüinos Emperador

OTL23-24 Una verdadera expedición, nuestro crucero al Mar de Weddell explorará el hábitat del pingüino Emperador en las proximidades de la isla Cerro Nevado. Visitaremos el área en helicópteros y veremos una variedad de otras aves que incluyen pingüinos Adelia...

m/v Ortelius

El Ortelius

Fecha del crucero:

20 nov. - 30 nov., 2024

Amarres a partir de

12100 USD

Antártica – Campamento Base

El mejor viaje de la actividad en la Antártida

HDS23-24 El crucero Campamento Base a la Península Antártica le ofrece una miríada de maneras de explorar y disfrutar de la región Antártica. Esta expedición le permitirá realizar caminatas, utilizar raquetas de nieve, andar en kayak, practicar montañismo e incluso...

m/v Hondius

El Hondius

Fecha del crucero:

23 nov. - 5 dic., 2024

Amarres a partir de

11750 USD

Antártida - Viaje de descubrimiento y aprendizaje + taller de navegación.

Antártida clásica que incluye la isla Decepción

OTL24-24 Este viaje a la Península Antártica y las islas Shetland del Sur lo lleva a un paisaje de oscura roca escarpada, nieve puramente blanca y una fantástica variedad de vida silvestre. Venga a saludar a las ballenas, focas y miles de pingüinos.

m/v Ortelius

El Ortelius

Fecha del crucero:

30 nov. - 10 dic., 2024

Amarres a partir de

7900 USD

Loading