Penguins Albatrosses Petrels The Winged Wildlife Of South Georgia - Nexta Expeditions
Penguins, Albatrosses, Petrels: The Winged Wildlife of South Georgia

Penguins, Albatrosses, Petrels: The Winged Wildlife of South Georgia

South Georgia’s location south of the Antarctic Convergence gives the island a more Antarctic-like climate compared to other regions at the same latitude. The climate here is marked by cold, cloudy, wet, and windy conditions with highly variable weather.

The southwest coast and the mountains bear the brunt of the extreme weather, while the northeast side is relatively milder and drier. The northeast is known for sudden strong winds that can be hazardous for small vessels. These winds can be foehn winds that reach up to 100 kph (62 mph) off the mountains and come with rapid temperature rises.

Here we discuss some of the features of the weather, flora, terrain, and especially seabird life that make up the incomparable sub-Antarctic archipelago that is South Georgia.

blog-image

South Georgia’s balmy above-zero temperatures

Long-term weather data show the average annual temperature is 1.8°C (35.24°F) and ranges from -19.4°C (-2.92°F) to 26.3°C (79.34°F). Meanwhile, the South Sandwich Islands are a small island chain comprising 11 islands on the Scotia Arc, around 500 km (310 miles) southeast of South Georgia. All the islands have been formed from volcanic activity, so they are mostly made up of basalt and lava.

blog-image

The sturdy flora of South Georgia

South Georgia is not barren, however, being home to 25 species of vascular plants in addition to over 125 species of moss, 85 species of liverworts, and more than 200 species of lichen. The most productive plant in the area is the tussock grassland, usually found in coastal regions. This grassland is an important habitat for nesting birds, in addition to supporting a large diversity of native invertebrates.

Overall, the landscape is a mosaic of bogs and herb fields mixed with other vegetation types. South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands are also home to a number of penguin, albatross, and petrel species.

blog-image

A King among South Georgia penguins

The king penguin is the second-largest penguin species, the largest to breed on the island, and a major attraction for South Georgia cruises. This penguin has a slate-grey back and white front separated by a narrow black line that runs up to its chin. While king penguins nest in dense colonies, they do not build a nest.

Instead, they incubate a single egg on their feet, under a flap of skin. This is done in tight spaces with other incubating birds standing just pecking-distance away. The incubation of the egg lasts around 55 days, and the fledging lasts almost a year. After five weeks, the chicks are placed in creches.

blog-image

Because king penguins can raise two chicks every three years, their colonies can contain a variety of demographic groups: moulting adults, young chicks, older chicks, and eggs. The king penguin’s diet consists mainly of squid and lanternfish.

They are able to dive for up to 10 minutes, at times reaching depths of over 300 meters (almost 1,000 feet). The largest colonies of these penguins can be seen at St. Andrews Bay (150,000 pairs), Salisbury Plain (60,000 pairs), Royal Bay (30,000 pairs), Gold Harbour (25,000 pairs), and Fortuna Bay (7,000 pairs).

blog-image

South Georgia’s black-browed albatross

The black-browed albatross has a circumpolar breeding distribution that includes South Georgia. When these birds are not breeding, they usually leave South Georgia for the Benguela Current upwelling system off southwest Africa, while others head to the Patagonian Shelf or farther afield to Australasia.

In South Georgia, the albatross has established colonies on steep slopes or terraces with tussock grass. There are about 15 colonies spread out across South Georgia, with the largest colonies located in the Willis Islands group as well as Bird, Annenkov, and Cooper Islands.

Albatrosses start to breed when they are 10 years old and breed annually. They build nests out of soil and vegetation, laying a single egg in late October to early November. The incubation period lasts between 65 and 72 days, while fledging ranges from 110 – 125 days, beginning in late April to May. Adult birds usually feed north of the main colony on South Georgia and in the Subantarctic waters during the incubation period. When they are rearing their chicks, black-browed albatrosses feed in Antarctic waters.

blog-image

The grey-headed albatross of South Georgia

The grey-headed albatross is found in South Georgia and other circumpolar locations. During the non-breeding season, they are found throughout the Southern Ocean, mainly in open water. In South Georgia, these albatross colonies are usually located on clifftops and ledges, and the birds build nests out of soil and vegetation. The average age when they breed is 12 years old, and if successful they breed biennially.

Grey-headed albatross colonies are set across nine areas and islands in northwest South Georgia, with the largest colonies found in the Willis Island group, Bird Island, and Paryadin Peninsula. The grey-headed albatross lays a single egg in October, and the incubation period lasts between 69 and 78 days, with fledging taking around 140 days over the May – June period.

The adult grey-headed albatross feeds in the Antarctic Convergence and at times appears as far south as the Scotia Sea and even on Antarctic Peninsula trips. After they breed, these seabirds typically migrate to the southwest Indian Ocean or even complete one or two circumpolar migrations between breeding seasons.

blog-image

South Georgia’s light-mantled albatross

The light-mantled albatross is found during the breeding season in South Georgia. These medium-sized albatrosses, with grey bodies and long thin wings, set up nests alone or in small groups. These nests are located on cliff ledges around most of the South Georgia coast. Breeding pairs are known to fly in tandem, gliding to and from the coastal cliffs. At times the birds standing on the cliffs will stick their necks out and call to passing birds.

The albatross has a very long breeding season, laying a single egg in late October to early November, incubating for 65 to 71 days, and fledging for 141 to 170 days. The adult albatross has a longer foraging trip than the others, feeding farther south than all other albatrosses during the chick-rearing stage. Some of them even fly down to the marginal ice zone encountered on Weddell Sea voyage routes.

blog-image

The wandering albatross of South Georgia

Wandering albatrosses spend the bulk of their lives in flight, cruising the skies for hours without so much as a flap of their wings, and they are one of the largest birds in the world. But these seeming superpowers come at a cost: The wandering albatross has to eat and eat a lot. They will, in fact, try to eat just about anything they happen across, trailing ships to feast on whatever garbage might be left in their wake.

Often it is only when wandering albatrosses have gluttonized so much that flight isn’t possible that they finally land, floating on the water until they have the steam to lift off again. They live around 50 years, breed every two, and mate for life. Their Latin name, Diomedea exulans, traces back to the Greek hero Diomedes, a great swordsman of the Trojan War who eventually assumed the crown of Argos.

blog-image

Southern giant petrels on South Georgia

Southern giant petrels take up in South Georgia during the breeding season. There they build nests in small colonies, making the nests out of vegetation or gravel. The albatross lays a single egg in early-to-mid November, incubates for 55 – 66 days, then fledges for 104 – 132 days in late April to May.

During the midsummer period, males are often found on the beaches, where they compete for fur seal carrion. After this, they feed out to sea around South Georgia and the Scotia Sea. Meanwhile, the females usually feed in Antarctic waters, stopping at the southern Patagonian Shelf.

blog-image

South Georgia’s cape petrels

Cape petrels are a circumpolar bird found in most sub-Antarctic islands, including South Georgia. During the migration season, they typically head north to southern Brazil. When they come to South Georgia and breed, they usually nest in loose colonies on cliff ledges scattered along the coastlines.

They scrape out nests among pebbles and lay a single egg in November to early December. The incubation period lasts 41 to 50 days, and fledging 45 to 57 days in March. These birds are known to aggressively defend themselves with their wings lowered and tails raised, capable of spitting defensive stomach oil at their enemies.

blog-image

Related Trips

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar17 Dec 2024 - 04 Jan 2025
clock19 Days / 18 Nights
From $ 14.600 per person
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar04 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025
clock19 Days / 18 Nights
From $ 9.450 per person
% Save up to $ 9.050
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar16 Jan 2025 - 03 Feb 2025
clock19 Days / 18 Nights
From $ 9.450 per person
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar01 Feb 2025 - 20 Feb 2025
clock20 Days / 19 Nights
From $ 9.450 per person
Remote Weddell Sea Explorer incl. South Georgia - South Sandwich Islands - Neuschwabenland - Larsen Ice Shelf - Paulet and Devil Island - Elephant Island, incl. helicopters - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Remote Weddell Sea Explorer incl. South Georgia - South Sandwich Islands - Neuschwabenland - Larsen Ice Shelf - Paulet and Devil Island - Elephant Island, incl. helicopters

calendar11 Feb 2025 - 10 Mar 2025
clock28 Days / 27 Nights
From $ 24.700 per person
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Elephant Island - Antarctica - Polar Circle

calendar20 Feb 2025 - 14 Mar 2025
clock23 Days / 22 Nights
From $ 16.700 per person
% Save up to $ 6.200
Atlantic Odyssey - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Atlantic Odyssey

calendar23 Mar 2025 - 15 Apr 2025
clock24 Days / 23 Nights
From $ 5.100 per person
Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica - Photographic Special - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Puerto Madryn

Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica - Photographic Special

calendar22 Oct 2025 - 11 Nov 2025
clock21 Days / 20 Nights
From $ 14.250 per person
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Puerto Madryn

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar28 Oct 2025 - 17 Nov 2025
clock21 Days / 20 Nights
From $ 14.350 per person
South Georgia Explorer - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

South Georgia Explorer

calendar13 Nov 2025 - 27 Nov 2025
clock15 Days / 14 Nights
From $ 10.900 per person
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar27 Nov 2025 - 16 Dec 2025
clock20 Days / 19 Nights
From $ 14.800 per person
Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Antarctica
Ushuaia

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

calendar11 Dec 2025 - 29 Dec 2025
clock19 Days / 18 Nights
From $ 14.500 per person

Blog
go-leftgo-right

The ozone layer in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The ozone layer in Antarctica

An ozone molecule is composed of three oxygen atoms rather than the usual two. It exists in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Ozone molecules are created through the interaction of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun with oxygen molecules: When an O2 molecule is split, the two free oxygen atoms bond with other O2 molecules to form O3 molecules.
Penguins, Petrels, and Prions: Top Antarctica Bird Tour Spots - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Penguins, Petrels, and Prions: Top Antarctica Bird Tour Spots

If anyone tells you Antarctica is for the birds, they’re right.
Antarctic krill: Antarctica's Superfood - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Antarctic krill: Antarctica's Superfood

The size of a paper clip, pink, krill is a shrimp-like crustacean that does not look like much. Without them, though, the Earth's marine ecosystems would collapse completely.
The Secret Life of Glaciers: How They Form, Move, and Melt - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Secret Life of Glaciers: How They Form, Move, and Melt

One of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders you can witness on an Arctic or Antarctic expedition is glaciers. These immense ice formations have been gradually moving from the mountains to the oceans for countless years, acting as both time capsules and indicators of our rapidly changing environment.
Exploration of the Polar Regions - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Exploration of the Polar Regions

From the Vikings via the first whale and seal hunters to Scott and Amundsen, from the maritime explorers Franklin and Nordenskiöld to present-day polar tourism, a quick tour through history reveals some of the aspects which motivated people to extend their horizons. Existential need, sheer curiosity, imperial greed, polar science, and a taste for adventure all converged in regions which pardon no mistakes.
Experience King Penguins, Seals and More in South Georgia - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Experience King Penguins, Seals and More in South Georgia

One of the most remarkable aspects of South Georgia Island is its immense population of King penguins. This island serves as a significant breeding ground, and breathtaking aerial photos have captured the sight of hundreds of thousands of King penguins gathered together. This colony is known as the largest crèche in the world, making it one of the top destinations globally for observing King penguins.
Shackleton’s Long-Lost Endurance Discovered in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Shackleton’s Long-Lost Endurance Discovered in Antarctica

A discovery expedition launched by the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust achieved a long-awaited mission when it located Anglo-Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton’s lost ship Endurance last Saturday (March 5).
The Dirty Details of Antarctica's Dry Valleys - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Dirty Details of Antarctica's Dry Valleys

Situated on the western coast of McMurdo Sound, the McMurdo Dry Valleys represent the largest ice-free region in Antarctica.
Weddell Sea, Shackleton’s Endurance, and New Swabia - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Weddell Sea, Shackleton’s Endurance, and New Swabia

Our Antarctica 2023-24 cruise program is packed with incredible expeditions, including a new itinerary that explores key locations such as South Georgia, the Weddell Sea, and the more easterly region of New Swabia (Neuschwabenland).
The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The Wildlife of Antarctica’s Seas and Skies

Antarctica is one of the most pristine environments on Earth, home to whales, penguins, seals, and birds, providing nature lovers with a treasure trove of wildlife memories to take back home.
The bowhead whale, whaling about the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The bowhead whale, whaling about the Arctic

The bowhead whale typically resides near pack ice, often in shallow waters. These whales are commonly found north of Europe, between Canada and Greenland, in the Hudson Bay area, the Okhotsk Sea, and the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. In these regions, they filter food through their large baleen plates. Bowheads are known to open their large mouths and graze along the surface, in the water column, or on the sea floor.
Spitsbergen: a true polar bear trip - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Spitsbergen: a true polar bear trip

On the third day of our Svalbard cruise, we navigated through the sea ice north of Spitsbergen. The morning greeted us with fog and fragmented ice, but conditions gradually improved. A swarm of black-legged kittiwakes trailed behind us, as our ship stirred the waters, pushing aside ice floes to reveal the tiny dark polar cod beneath.
Arctic Foxes: Constant Gardeners of the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Arctic Foxes: Constant Gardeners of the Arctic

Given how widespread their habitat is, it is little wonder that Arctic foxes are one of the animals we most often see during our Greenland and Svalbard expeditions. The Arctic fox is a circumpolar species whose feeding grounds include North America, Eurasia, even Iceland, ranging from nearly the North Pole all the way down to the sub-Arctic islands.
The First Overwintering Hut in Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

The First Overwintering Hut in Antarctica

In 1899, Carsten Borchgrevink and his nine crewmen became the first to spend the winter in a hut in Antarctica. (Technically, the Belgian Antarctic Expedition of 1897-1899 was the first to overwinter there, though this was done on their vessel after it was caught in ice.) Borchgrevink and his men spent the dark winter months isolated in a dirty hut, surrounded by equipment and sled dogs fighting each other outside.
Discover the Scoresby Sund Fjord System in East Greenland - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Discover the Scoresby Sund Fjord System in East Greenland

Are you considering a trip to Greenland? One destination you absolutely must visit is the world's largest fjord with stunning landscapes: Scoresby Sund.
Weddell seals: The data collectors scientists of Antarctica - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Weddell seals: The data collectors scientists of Antarctica

Weddell seals inhabit some of the coldest and darkest waters deep within the Ross Sea ice, making them the southernmost naturally occurring mammals on Earth. During the winter and summer months, their movements are largely governed by the presence of sea ice and the availability of suitable breathing and exit holes.
Of Treacherous Rocks & Audacious Fin Whales - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Of Treacherous Rocks & Audacious Fin Whales

Soon large blows filled our view; small groups of fin whales sped by heading north all the while feeding on concentrations of krill & small fish. Group after group was seen, with many simply feeding in the general area and not heading anywhere in particular. Soon it became evident that we were not simply seeing a few random groups of fins, but a very large concentration spread out over a large area of sea just north and around the islands north of the South Shetlands. Dozens upon dozens of fin whales were feeding, diving around the ship and on the horizon in massive numbers; we must have seen well over fifty fin whales in the general area of Elephant Island, something many of the guides had never seen before.
Solargraphy & Pin Hole photography in the Arctic - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Solargraphy & Pin Hole photography in the Arctic

Five Birds You Might See on Your Greenland Cruise - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Five Birds You Might See on Your Greenland Cruise

A Greenland expedition cruise offers birdwatchers a unique opportunity to capture stunning avian photographs. With over 230 bird species, Greenland boasts both spectacular landscapes and diverse winged wildlife.
Living the Antarctic Dream - Nexta Expeditions
Blog

Living the Antarctic Dream

From October to March, during the Austral summer, thousands of breeding gentoo, Adèlie, and chinstrap penguins flock to the Western Antarctic Peninsula to rear their chicks and feast on krill before the harsh winter arrives. Alongside the penguins, field biologists from around the world gather to study these habits for conservation research. Observing these animals is one thing, but residing in an Antarctic field station for an entire breeding season is another. One particular field camp on King George Island, managed by American scientists, has perfected this Antarctic lifestyle and has thrived for over 30 years.