Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

login


[close window] [previous abstract] [next abstract]

Cooper J. & Dowle J.E. (1976) Seasonal and spatial distribution of some procellariiform seabirds in Southern African waters. ARDEA 64 (1-2): 72-79
Seasonal and spatial distribution of the Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans. Shy Albatross D. cauta, Black-browed Albatross D. melanophris, White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis, Cape Pigeon Daption capensis and the giant petrels Macronectes spp. in the waters off the south-western Cape, South Africa, are analysed. The occurrence of each species is expressed as an index of abundance at monthly intervals and 12.5 or 25 km distances offshore. Most species are abundant in winter months and, with the most noticeable exception of the Wandering Albatross, most abundant in the region of the continental shelf edge. The distribution pattern of each species is discussed in relation to breeding season and regions of upwelling of water of high productivity.


[close window] [previous abstract] [next abstract]