SUBANTARCTIC
Ocean

The subantarctic oceans are cold but rich in oxygen, nutrients and sea birds and mammals...

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By far the biggest group of birds seen out on the Subantarctic oceans are the tubenoses. This is a large and diverse group of specialist seabirds. The largest in this group and one of the largest of all flying birds are the Albatross.

Even identifying between the 'Royal' and 'Wandering' group can be difficult at sea. Generally, the Royal usually does not have black on the tail while the Wandering may have black on the tail, the Royal has a more smoother head-to-bill transition while the Wandering is blockier, the Royal has coarser black and white colouration while the Wandering is smoother. If you get a closer look, one of the best differences is that the Royal has a darker edge to the inner edge of mandibles, producing a dark line along middle of bill.

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The 'Mollymawk' Albatross Thalassarche, are smaller than the Great Diomedea Albatross. Unlike the latter birds, the Mollymawks have a dark back. The different species in the genus can usually be distinguished from each other by their slightly different coloured bills.

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There are many different types of medium-sized petrels.

One of the most regularly seen is Procellaria aequinoctialis, 'White-chinned Petrel'. The common name comes from a small patch of white underneath the base of the bill; this is not always visible in the field, but can be seen in the photograph below.

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Some of the Petrels almost grow as big as albatross - these are the Giant Petrels. The Northern has darker reddish tip to bill, Southern has greenish or lighter tip.

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 Prions are very small and grey, usually with a dark "M" mark spread across wings and back. The species are difficult to tell apart, and identification often has to be based on what is likely to be in the area. Rhymes with iron, Pry-on, not Pree-on.

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There are four species of Diving Petrels, although the different species are very hard to tell apart. Very small stubby seabirds. Appear to be somewhat of a evolutionary convergent southern ocean equivalent of the northern hemisphere Puffins. They fly just above the surface, and smash into the water and fly out again (although you can see them enter the water, it is often hard to see where they exit). To me, their fluttery flight and stumpy body makes them look like 'hummingbird potatoes'.

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 When Storm Petrels are feeding they hover over the surface of the water. They have a distinct and delicate way of moving while doing this, that appears like dancing; it is called pattering.

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Whales are common over summer in the Subantarctic waters. They can often be seen from a distance by their blow.

Other related habitats...

Next to this cold ocean is the Subantarctic seashore, and just inland of these wildlife congregations is the Subantarctic tundra. Further south are the oceans and shores of Antarctica. At the other end of the Earth, the northern equivalents are the Arctic ocean & seashore and the Arctic tundra.

To learn more about
the South American, Australian & New Zealand subantarctic,
check out the Ecosystem Guides Book:
"Subantarctic ocean & islands"
on Amazon (and amazon Australia)