Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli, Procellariidae: Petrels and Shearwaters) Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand
The Northern Giant-Petrel is an inhabitant of temperate waters of the Southern Ocean. In New Zealand waters breeds on the Chatham, Auckland and Campbell islands. A large bird, with a wingspan of 1.5 to 2.1 m and an aggressive scavanger. Seen here with fighting for food with a New Zealand Wandering or Gibson's Albatross ( ) and some small Cape Petrels ( ). Filmed at Kaikoura on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island; a special place to see pelagic seabirds. This is because of the Kermadec Trench, formed by the subduction of Pacific plate under the Australian Plate is a few km offshore. This brings up cold, nutrient rich water from the depths, attracting the birds of the Southern Ocean close to shore. Also see vimeo.com/147215815 for the pelagic experience.
Filmed from a boat operated by Albatross Encounter of Kaikoura.
also on newzealandwildlife.tv