![Sample our Environment & Agriculture journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5934/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Environment-Agriculture.jpg"})
Summary
Bretagnolle, V. 1988. Social behaviour of the Southern Giant Petrel, Ostrich 59: 116–125.
The social behaviour of Southern Giant Petrels Macronectes giganteus is described after a 15-month field study in Adélie Land, Antarctica. Elementary acts are briefly listed and vocalizations are described for both adults and chicks. All the social displays are described, some for the first time. Social communication is analysed from sequences of “stimulus” and “answer”, as a function of sex, distance separating the birds, and the type of stimulus (agonistic or movement) or answer (agonistic, movement and appeasement). The meaning and function of each display is given, and its structural components are discussed. Comparisons with other species of the order including albatrosses and fulmarine petrels, show that the giant petrels are unique in having an elaborate social system. It is suggested that this results from their large size, diet, breeding behaviour, and diurnal habits.
