Bird species profile
Antarctic Prion
Pachyptila desolata
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
About the species
The Antarctic Prion is a small, graceful seabird with a pale blue-grey back, white underparts, and a distinctive black 'M' pattern across its wings. It is highly adapted to life at sea, spending most of its life far from land except during the breeding season. This species breeds in large colonies on subantarctic islands, including those off southern South America and around Antarctica. Its fluttering, buoyant flight and soft, cooing calls are characteristic of prions. The Antarctic Prion is well known for its specialized bill, which features comb-like lamellae that help it filter plankton and small crustaceans from the water. Social and often seen in large flocks, it is an important part of the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
Habitat
Open Southern Ocean waters and subantarctic islands, especially during breeding season.
Foraging
Feeds by filtering plankton and small crustaceans from the water’s surface while swimming or flying low.
