Cannibalism in southern giant petrels {Macronectes giganteus)at Nelson Island, Maritime Antarctic Peninsula

摘要

Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) are a scavenger and predatory species with highly opportunistic feeding habits. Although cannibalism is a likely behavior for a predatory and colonial species, there are no confirmed records of this behavior for giant petrels. In this study, we describe two cases of cannibalism in a population of southern giant petrels breeding at Harmony Point (62 degrees 18 ' S; 59 degrees 10 ' W), Nelson Island. In both cases, a male giant petrel preyed upon a nestling. Our records confirm that heterocannibalism is part of the behavior repertoire of male southern giant petrels.