Arrival and departure of birds at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

Abstract

Nine species of birds were recorded at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, between 1963 and 1966. Of these, two were penguins (Adelie, Emperor), four were petrels (Antarctic, Giant, Snow, Wilson's Storm), two were skuas (Brown, McCormick) and one was a gull (Dominican). The arrival and departure dates are documented where possible, and it appears that the timing of breeding and moult is adjusted to the climate and resources of food at this high latitude. Breeding behaviour of some species is synchronized so that there is a shorter breeding period at this latitude than to the north.