Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli)

Identification & Behavior: ~87 cm (34.2 in). The Northern Giant-Petrel has multiple plumage stages. The juvenile is all black. White morph birds are not known in this species. Black juveniles undergo a series of plumage stages to attain the white face and brown rest of the body of an adult bird. The large size, thickness, and pattern of the bill are unmistakable.  It forages in pelagic waters. It is very similar to the Southern Giant Petrel but is it distinguished by a tip of the bill brownish or reddish. This detail is very difficult to observe in the field.

Status: The status of the Northern Giant-Petrel are based on sight records and photographs near Isla La Vieja, at Punta San Juan in Ica, and the coast of Ilo in Moquegua. Additional sight records and photographs come from 35 miles off the coast of El Callao in Lima. It also occurs in Ch.

Name in Spanish: Petrel Gigante Norteño.

Sub-species: Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli), Mathews, 1912.

Meaning of Name: Macronectes: Gr macros= great and nektes, nekho= swimmer, to swim. halli: In honor of Robert Hall (1867-1949) Australian ornithologist, President of the RAOU 1912-1913.

See more of the Family Procellariidae