A monotypic petrel in its own genus, thirty five colonies are known on
the Antarctic mainland and islands. A striking species, rarely moving north of the Antarctic Convergence, it can be missed
on any trip to Antarctica, although it is abundant. Given its habit of staying near the ice shelf, birds are circumpolar
and the largest numbers probably don't occur near the peninsular, where most ships visit. The distinctive patterning is actually
very dark chocolate with often a paler head, but the long hours of daylight cause fading and birds may be pale brown, or "lose"
their tail bands almost entirely, such as the bird on the right.
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