From Opus

Photo by derekh42

Thalassoica antarctica

[edit] Identification

• Chocolate-brown upperparts
• Wings have a broad white trailing edge
• White tail with a brownish-black tip
• Underparts white, apart from dark throat and leading edge to wing

[edit] Distribution

Antarctic seas and Antarctica

Photo by Gary Clark
Antarctic Peninsula.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

[edit] Habitat

Pack-ice, icebergs, ice floes. Breeding more than 200 km away from the coast at nunataks on the inland glaciers.

[edit] Behaviour

[edit] Diet

The diet includes krill and other crustaceans, and small fish.

[edit] Breeding

They nest in clefts, crevices and on ledges on sloping rocky cliffs in snow-free areas. Nest is situated directly open on ground, lined with small stones and gravel. One egg is laid and incubated for 45-48 days; the young fledge after a further 42-47 days.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2011. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to August 2011. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist

• List of references

[edit] External Links

• Australian Antarctic Division
• View more images of this species on the ABID