Proposal (710) to South American Classification Committee

Add Thalassoica antarctica (Antarctic Petrel) to the main list

This species is currently treated as Hypothetical in both Chile and Argentina on the official SACC lists for those countries. Thus, no previous photo or specimen evidence exists for this species in South American waters. Barros and Schmitt (2015) published a photo by Carlos Olavarria, from 16 October 2009 of an Antarctic Petrel off Cape Horn, Chile. The photos (see below) show various diagnostic features, including the largely white underparts, white based tail with dark tail band, bold white pattern on secondaries and inner primaries. Also, the largely white underwing with dark leading edge shows in one of the two photos published.

References:

References:

Barros, R. & Schmitt, F. 2015. Aves Raras en Chile, Enero 2004 – Diciembre 2014. La Chiricoca 20: 2-56

Rodrigo Barros and Alvaro Jaramillo, March 2016

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Comments from Remsen: “YES. Published, diagnostic photos of this unmistakable species.”

Comments from Stiles: “YES. The published photos are clearly diagnostic for this species.”

Comments from Pacheco: “YES. A clearly identifiable photo.”

Comments from Robbins: “YES, the photos leave no doubt to this being an Antarctic Petrel.”