Southern Giant-Petrel (macronectes giganteus). Petrels make up the largest group of oceanic birds in the world. They are primarily scavengers and will follow ships for days at a time foraging for scraps from the galley. This bird was photographed from the rear deck of a ship rocking and rolling in Antarctica seas of 15-20 feet with freezing weather and winds in excess of 30 mph. Scotia Sea between Antarctica Peninsula and South Georgia Island.