ANTARCTIC AND SUB-ANTARCTIC SEABIRDS IN SOUTH AMERICA: A REVIEW

Abstract

We analyzed the reports of Antarctic and Sub-antarctic birds in South American Countries according to scientific papers and gray literature. Forty-eight species were found, and they were observed to occur over oceanic and/or coastal areas of the countries surveyed. Chile was found to present the highest number of seabird species (39), followed by Brazil (38). Species that were less frequently found were Pygoscelis adeliae, Thalassoica antarctica, Pagodroma nivea, Pachyptila salvini and Pterodroma inexpectata, and these were observed only in a single country each. Diomedea exulans, D. epomophora,  Thalassarche melanophris, Macronectes giganteus, Fulmarus glacialoides, Pachyptila desolota and  Oceanites oceanicus were the seabird species most frequently observed, and were found in six out of the seven countries analysed. Of all species found, three are considered endangered species, eight are considered vulnerable, another eight are considered near threatened, according IUCN.