Birds of Antarctica and South Georgia

Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora)

Royal albatrosses are among the largest seabirds on Earth, rivalling the wandering albatross in wingspan. They are distinguished by their mostly white upper wings and back, giving them a brighter, cleaner appearance in flight. Their powerful, steady gliding makes them a commanding presence around the Southern Ocean and South Georgia.

Two closely related forms are recognised:

• Southern Royal Albatross (D. epomophora)

• Northern Royal Albatross (D. sanfordi)

For most travellers, their differences are subtle — both appear as striking, pale-mantled giants soaring effortlessly over the waves.

The best likelihood of seeing them is along South Georgia Island and Drake Passage (for Southern Royals) and New Zealand (for the Northern Royals)

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)

The black-browed albatross is one of the most commonly seen seabirds in the Southern Ocean, easily recognised by the dark eyebrow marking that gives it a permanently stern, almost disapproving expression. Smaller and more compact than the great albatrosses, it has a wingspan of around 2.1–2.4 metres, making it noticeably lighter and more agile in the air.

With crisp white plumage, charcoal-grey upper wings, and that unmistakable 'frown,' they often seem to glare as they glide past the ship. Black-browed albatrosses frequently accompany vessels across the Drake Passage and Scotia Sea, but the most impressive encounters happen in South Georgia, where tens of thousands breed on steep tussock-covered slopes. Watching them wheel effortlessly along the cliffs is one of the island’s signature wildlife moments.

Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata)

The light-mantled albatross is often considered one of the most beautiful seabirds of the Southern Ocean. It is instantly recognisable by its silky grey back ('mantle'), dark chocolate-brown head, and the subtle pale crescent around the eye that gives it a soft, expressive look. With a wingspan of 2.0–2.2 metres, it is smaller and slimmer than the great albatrosses, built for remarkable agility.

Unlike most albatrosses, light-mantleds are famous for their paired, synchronised flight displays. Travellers in South Georgia frequently see two birds soaring side-by-side in perfect harmony, dipping and banking in unison along rugged cliff lines — one of the island’s most graceful wildlife encounters. They also appear over the Drake Passage and across the Scotia Sea, but nowhere are sightings as magical or consistent as around South Georgia’s steep coastal landscapes.

Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea)

The snow petrel is one of Antarctica’s most enchanting birds — pure white, delicate, and almost ethereal against the backdrop of blue ice. Small and wonderfully agile, with a wingspan of around 75–95 cm, they glide effortlessly between icebergs and along pressure ridges, their dark eyes and black-tipped bill the only contrast against their flawless plumage.

These birds are found nowhere else on Earth but Antarctica and the surrounding pack-ice zone. Travellers may spot them while navigating the Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, or drifting pack ice in the Scotia Sea, where their sudden appearance feels like a quiet blessing from the ice. Snow petrels are known to breed on South Georgia (and other sub-Antarctic islands) in addition to the Antarctic mainland.

Despite their gentle look, snow petrels are tough survivors, nesting on remote cliffs and thriving in some of the coldest conditions on the planet.

Cape Petrel (Daption capense)

The Cape petrel is a favourite among travellers — a bold, energetic seabird easily recognised by its striking black-and-white “checkerboard” pattern. With a wingspan of 70–85 cm, it’s smaller than the giant petrels but far more acrobatic, darting and banking low over the waves with playful precision. Their contrasting plumage makes them look like confetti skimming across the Southern Ocean.

Cape petrels are commonly seen throughout the Drake Passage, around South Georgia, and along the Antarctic Peninsula. They often gather in lively groups behind expedition ships, dipping in and out of the wake as they feed on small crustaceans and fish near the surface. Their bold behaviour, vivid colouring, and constant motion make them one of the most memorable and photogenic birds of any Antarctic voyage.

Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)

One of the smallest seabirds in the Antarctic, Wilson’s storm petrel is a master of delicate flight — fluttering just above the surface with quick, moth-like wingbeats. With a wingspan of only 38–42 cm, they are tiny compared to most Southern Ocean birds, yet they travel astonishing distances and endure some of the harshest conditions on Earth.

They are easy to recognise by their dark brown plumage, white rump patch, and the distinctive 'pattering' behaviour as they appear to walk on water while feeding — using their long legs to steady themselves on the wind-ruffled surface. Travellers are most likely to see them across the Drake Passage, around South Georgia, and throughout the Antarctic Peninsula region, often in scattered groups that dance low over the waves.

Despite their small size, Wilson’s storm petrels are among the most numerous seabirds on the planet, a quiet but constant presence in the Southern Ocean.

The Antarctic shag (Leucocarbo bransfieldensis)

also known as the blue-eyed shag or imperial cormorant, is the only member of the cormorant family found in Antarctic waters and is most often seen along the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, where it breeds on low rocky cliffs.

A striking black-and-white seabird with a distinctive blue eye-ring, the Antarctic shag develops an orange-yellow nasal knob and short black crest during the breeding season. Unlike northern cormorants, it has exceptionally dense under-feathers that provide insulation and waterproofing, allowing it to dive repeatedly in icy waters. It feeds on fish, crustaceans, and squid, and breeds in colonies where cone-shaped nests are built from seaweed and debris.

Uniquely, Antarctic shag chicks hatch completely naked without protective down, making them particularly vulnerable and dependent on parents for warmth. The current population stands around 20,000 individuals, considered stable.

Snowy sheathbill (Chionis albus)

Amid the chaos of a penguin colony, you might notice a small white bird darting between the rocks — that’s the Snowy Sheathbill. Unlike most Antarctic birds, it doesn’t have webbed feet and doesn’t fly long distances. Instead, it scavenges for food scraps left behind by penguins, seals, or other wildlife.

It’s often called Antarctica’s 'clean-up crew.' Though not graceful, its role is essential. These birds that live in Antarctica keep colonies free of waste and help recycle nutrients back into the environment.

South Polar Skua (Stercorarius maccormicki)

A powerful, barrel-chested seabird, the South Polar Skua is one of Antarctica’s top avian predators. It breeds along Antarctic coastlines and on snow-free ground near penguin colonies, where it is easily recognised by its bold behaviour and fearless defence of its nest.

Highly migratory, this species undertakes one of the longest journeys of any bird, breeding in Antarctica and wintering in the North Pacific and North Atlantic. Its diet includes fish, penguin eggs and chicks, and food stolen from other seabirds through aggressive kleptoparasitism. South Polar Skuas are among the southernmost breeding birds on Earth.

Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus)

A large, robust gull with a white head and underparts, dark slate-black wings, and a powerful yellow bill marked by a red spot, the Kelp Gull is one of the most widespread seabirds in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Antarctic region, it is commonly seen along the Antarctic Peninsula and on sub-Antarctic islands, including South Georgia, frequenting coastlines, harbours, and wildlife colonies.

Highly opportunistic, Kelp Gulls feed on fish, invertebrates, carrion, and scraps scavenged from seal and penguin colonies. Adaptable and intelligent, they are a familiar presence near landing sites and shorelines, playing an important role as scavengers within the Antarctic coastal ecosystem.

Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)

Slim and graceful, the Arctic Tern is identified by its pale grey upperparts, white underparts, black cap, and bright red bill and legs. Compared to the Antarctic Tern, it appears more delicate in flight, with longer, narrower wings and a deeper forked tail, giving it a lighter, more buoyant silhouette.

Famous for undertaking the longest migration of any bird, the Arctic Tern breeds in the Arctic and sub-Arctic and migrates south each year to the Southern Ocean, where it may be seen in Antarctic waters during the austral summer. Unlike its Antarctic counterpart, it does not breed in Antarctica. Arctic Terns feed on small fish and plankton, often plunge-diving from the air with remarkable precision.

South Georgia Pipit (Anthus antarcticus)

A small, brown, ground-dwelling songbird, the South Georgia Pipit is the only passerine found in the Antarctic region and is endemic to South Georgia. Modestly coloured with streaked brown plumage and a pale underside, it is often seen running through tussock grass or rocky coastal areas rather than taking flight.

Once pushed to the brink of extinction by introduced rats, the South Georgia Pipit has made a strong recovery following successful eradication programmes. Today, it is commonly encountered around ice-free coastal areas and grassy slopes, where its soft calls and quick movements add a rare terrestrial note to South Georgia’s wildlife — a quiet but powerful conservation success story.

The yearly rhythm of Antarctic birds

If you could follow these birds throughout a year, you’d witness an intricate pattern of migration, feeding, and breeding shaped by the seasons:

• Spring (October–November): Sea ice breaks up, and birds begin to return to nesting sites. Cliff-nesters like the Antarctic Petrel arrive early.

• Summer (December–February): Colonies reach their peak activity. Penguins tend chicks, petrels feed offshore, and albatrosses soar over open water.

• Autumn (March–April): Chicks fledge, adults migrate, and the skies begin to quiet.

• Winter (May–September): Only a few species remain — mostly Emperor Penguins and a handful of hardy scavengers.

This cycle repeats with astonishing precision, year after year, guided by light, temperature, and instinct.

The experience with Secret Atlas

What makes a Secret Atlas expedition different is how close you can get to these birds without disrupting their world. With small-group landings and expert guides, you experience Antarctica quietly — standing among penguin colonies, watching petrels glide overhead, and photographing Snowy Sheathbills against pure white snow.

If you choose the fly-and-cruise option from Puerto Natales, you’ll bypass the Drake Passage and land directly in the heart of Antarctica, saving days of travel and maximising time in the wildlife zones. That means more opportunities to see these endemic species up close, often with no other ships in sight.

Every Secret Atlas voyage is timed with nature’s rhythm, matching bird breeding seasons, sea ice openings, and daylight cycles for optimal encounters.