Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
The Broad-billed Prion is a medium-sized seabird recognized by its broad, flattened bill and distinctive blue-grey plumage with a dark ‘M’ pattern across the upper wings. This prion spends most of its life at sea, only coming to land to breed on remote subantarctic islands, including some near southern Patagonia. Its specialized bill allows it to efficiently filter-feed on zooplankton and small crustaceans. During the breeding season, it nests in burrows or crevices, often forming dense colonies. The species is highly pelagic outside the breeding season, ranging widely across the Southern Ocean. Its whinnying calls are often heard at night near breeding sites.
Habitat
Open ocean and subantarctic islands, especially in the southern Atlantic and near Patagonia during breeding.
Foraging
Feeds by filtering plankton and small crustaceans from the water’s surface using its unique bill.