Northern giant petrel

Introduction: Unlike its southern counterpart, the northern giant petrel (Macronectes halli) often flies close to the shore from the open ocean. Sports heavy and cumbersome flight behaviour. This species is named after the former president of the Royal Australian Ornithologists' Union, R Hall (1867-1949).

Distribution: Fairly common observations along the Namibian coastline, although northern limits are unclear due to the the confusion associated with the southern giant-petrel.

Diet: Regularly follows large ships. Scavenges around Cape fur seal and eats birds at sea, squid, crustaceans and fish.

Description: Large bill adapted for tearing flesh. Macronectes is Greek for 'large swimmer'.

Breeding: Extralimital.

Size: 100cm.

Weight: 4.8kg.

Wingspan: Up to 2.1m.