Behaviour of Antarctic Petrels and Antarctic Fulmars before laying

Abstract

Antarctic Petrels Thalassoica antarctica and Antractic Fulmars Fulmarus glacialoides nest in adjoining areas on Odbert and Ardery Islands, Wilkes Land, Antarctica. Observation of their arrival, nesting location, courtship displays and copulation revealed similarities but also some marked differences between the species. Antarctic Petrels deserted the nesting area before laying, whereas Antarctic Fulmars probably remained at their nests. The full sequence of arrival, courtship and copulation was much more compressed in the Antarctic Petrels than in the Fulmars. Courtship and copulation are described and discussed.