White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis Feeding on a Dead Dolphin
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis is an opportunistic forager that often follows fishing boats to feed upon scraps or escaped/discarded fish. Although its diet in non-breeding areas is not well understood, studies of stomach contents indicate that its diet consists of fish, crustaceans, and squid. In June 2024, during a pelagic birding trip off the coast of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, a White-chinned Petrel was spotted feeding on the floating carcass of a Franciscana Dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei. This behavior has not been previously documented in the literature, online citizen science platforms, or by personal observation. We believe this to be an uncommon, opportunistic feeding strategy for this petrel species.
Source: Marine ornithology
Authors: Fabio Schunck, Rita Souza, Daniel N. Donadio, Leandro Correa, Rodrigo Bicudo, Miguel Oliveira De Souza, Pedro Giovani Cunha E Silva, Elenice Dias, Evair Legal, Fabio Barata
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4412651437