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Southern giant petrel and chick
Southern giant petrel and chick. Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) breed in loose colonies on subantarctic islands. The single large egg, laid in October/November, hatches after 60 days. The chicks are ready to leave the nest in late March. These birds will often abandon their nest if disturbed by humans, which has caused some populations to decline. Southern giant petrels feed on squid, carrion and the eggs and chicks of other birds. They are known as \stinkers\" because they spit a blob of food and oil if threatened. They can reach 1 metre in length. Photographed on South Georgia Island."
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