Notornis, 20 (3), 231-250
Article Type: Paper
The distribution and behaviour of the seabirds observed from New Zealand to the Ross Sea are described. Information was obtained in December 1970 from an eight day traverse of the USCGC Staten Island which covered 39 degrees of latitude. Seabird distributions appeared to be governed by such hydrological features as the Antarctic Convergence and the 0°C sea surface isotherm (northern pack-ice edge). Analysis of published data indicate a progressive breakdown in the zonal distribution of seabirds from early to late summer. Summer warming leads to both the increased southward penetration of some subantarctic species, and the increased northward spread of some Antarctic species.