Bird species profile
Broad-billed Prion
Pachyptila vittata
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
About the species
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 highly pelagic prion comes ashore to breed on remote islands, with major breeding populations in the Tristan da Cunha–Gough group and around New Zealand. It may range through southern oceans, but it is not known to breed on islands near 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 across the Southern Ocean; it comes ashore to breed only on remote islands, especially in the Tristan da Cunha–Gough group and around New Zealand.
Foraging
Feeds by filtering plankton and small crustaceans from the water’s surface using its unique bill.
