Pachyptila desolata
The Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata) is a small, pale blue-grey petrel measuring 25-28 cm in length with a wingspan of 58-66 cm and weighing 150-200g. Its most distinctive field marks include a dark 'M' pattern across its wings and back, a dark cap, and a unique blue-grey bill with black lamellae, adapted for filter-feeding. A member of the order Procellariiformes and family Procellariidae, it is one of six species of prions, specialized seabirds of the Southern Ocean. This species is un...
Predominantly pelagic, inhabiting the open waters of the Southern Ocean. Breeds colonially on remote subantarctic islands, utilizing burrows for nesting.
Feeds primarily on Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), copepods, and other small crustaceans, supplemented with small fish and squid, obtained through surface-seizing and filter-feeding.
At sea, Antarctic Prions are highly gregarious, often found in large, mixed-species feeding flocks, resting in rafts on the ocean surface. They are primarily diurnal when foraging over the open ocean but become strictly nocturnal when visiting breeding colonies to avoid aerial predators like skua...
The Antarctic Prion is a widespread pelagic species of the Southern Ocean, breeding on numerous subantarctic islands. Key breeding strongholds include South Georgia, Heard Island, the Kerguelen Islands, Crozet Islands, Macquarie Island, the Auckland Islands, and Campbell Island. After the breedin...
Least Concern
- The Antarctic Prion possesses a unique, broad, blue bill equipped with fine lamellae (filter plates) that function like baleen in whales, allowing it to strain minute plankton from the water. - They are one of the most numerous seabirds in the Southern Ocean, with breeding colonies numbering in...