Genus Macronectes, also known as the great petrels, is a group of seabirds found primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. Some common synonyms for this group include giant petrels, since they are among the largest seabirds in the world, and, in some languages, they are also known as the skua-like petrels, since they share some physical and behavioral traits with skuas. The term fulmarine petrels is also used to refer to this group, as they are a subfamily within the broader petrel family, and are often distinguished by their stout bill and strong, fleshy nostrils. Regardless of the term used, these birds play an important role in their marine ecosystems as powerful scavengers and predators.