According to the research statistics of Antarctic biologists, there are as many as 4 1 species of birds living in Antarctica all year round or seasonally, which can be roughly divided into three categories; They are albatrosses, petrels and seagulls; Among them, penguins, albatrosses, giant petrels, snow swallows, Antarctic terns, Antarctic pigeons, seagulls, blue-eyed cormorants and Antarctic skua are the most common and abundant, with the largest number of penguins, totaling more than 200 million. All the birds in Antarctica can fly except penguins. Except Xue Haiyan and penguins, which can be called "aborigines" in Antarctica, other birds are "aliens from different continents" and migrate to the Antarctic region in North Asia with the change of seasons.

Among Antarctic birds, all other birds can fly except penguins. There are not many species, but the number is very large, totaling about 65 million. If the number of penguins is added, the number of Antarctic seabirds is amazing, about 65.438+0.8 billion, accounting for 654.38+0.8% of the total number of seabirds in the world. Among them, only emperor penguins and Xueyan are indigenous to Antarctica, and the others are expatriates from other continents. Antarctic birds can be roughly divided into three categories, namely albatross, petrel and seagull. In addition, there are a few Antarctic skua and Antarctic cormorants. The common feature of Antarctic seabirds is their strong flying ability, which can inhabit land, sea ice and water. They mainly feed on Antarctic krill, but also eat fish and squid. They breed in Antarctic summer, and most of them nest and lay eggs in Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic Islands, laying 1-2 eggs each time. Men and women hatch eggs in turn, and both parents raise chicks together. Generally, you can swim and hunt in the sea with your parents in about two months.

Antarctic seagull

Among Antarctic seabirds, the roaming albatross is the largest individual among Antarctic birds, weighing up to 5-6 kilograms, and is also the largest bird in the world. It is known as the king of birds and the world flying champion. Its whole body is covered with white feathers, and only the tail end and wing end have black stripes. Its streamlined body is particularly strong, and the distance between wings can reach 3. 2 meters, can fly thousands of miles a day for several days without stopping, and can even fly around the pole. It is really the king of birds in the world and the champion of flying. Roaming albatrosses are also praised by navigators as auspicious birds and faithful friends of sailors. In the vast ocean, sailors can often see wandering albatrosses riding the wind and waves, or hovering on the vast sea, which not only adds endless interest to tired and tasteless sailors, but also provides navigation for ships.

Among the Antarctic petrels, the largest individual is the giant petrel, weighing 4-5 kilograms. When flying, the distance between the wings can reach 2. 2 meters, when taking off, you must run up on the ground or water 10 meters or more to take off, just like an airplane taking off on a runway. Antarctic snow swallow, also known as Antarctic snow pigeon, is the most beautiful seabird among Antarctic petrels because of its appearance and individual resemblance to pigeons. It lives in the Antarctic all the year round and is the only indigenous people in this area. White feathers symbolize the pure goddess of ice and snow. It's really hard to find it if you don't forage in the ice and snow in the Antarctic winter. During the first winter expedition at China Antarctic Great Wall Station, from April to June in 65438+1October, the author often saw the trace of Xue Haiyan near the station area or on the roof, which added vitality and joy to our isolated, dark and lonely Antarctic wintering expedition and became a loyal friend that the wintering expedition members wanted to see every day.

Antarctic skua, the raptor of Antarctic birds, is called the air robber, wearing brown feathers, bright eyes and a sharp mouth. It is good at stealing eggs or chicks from other birds, and even checking the meat or eggs of team members. Skua is the natural enemy of penguins, especially in the breeding season. It will tirelessly wait in the penguin's habitat, eagerly aim at the penguin's eggs or chicks, take away the penguin's eggs or young geese with agile movements, find a secluded place, have a good meal, and then swim in the lake, leisurely and carefree.