South Georgian diving petrels (Pelecanoides georgicus) breeding on Codfish Island

Abstract

In September 1978 a colony of about 30-35 pairs of South Georgian Diving Petrels (Pelecanoides georgicus) was identified breeding among the sand dunes at Sealers’ Bay, Codfish Island, New Zealand (46° 46′ S, 167° 39′ E). This may be the only surviving colony of this species in the Australasian region. It is of considerable interest, furthermore, in being the only colony situated on the Subtropical Convergence (all others are in colder waters) and in being the only one sympatric with P. urinatrix chathamensis (all others are sympatric with P. u. exsul).