Antarctic Prion vs Magellanic Diving-petrel

Pachyptila desolata compared with Pelecanoides magellani

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Antarctic Prion Magellanic Diving-petrel
Scientific Name Pachyptila desolata Pelecanoides magellani
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 36.5 cm (14.4 in) 25.1 cm (9.9 in)
Weight 149.0 g (5.26 oz) 149.25 g (5.26 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Antarctic Prion only

Magellanic Diving-petrel only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Antarctic Prion

Least Concern

Magellanic Diving-petrel

About These Birds

Antarctic Prion

25–28 cm, wingspan 58–66 cm. Classic prion pattern: pale blue-grey, white below, bold dark M across upperwing. Medium-broad bill. Most abundant and widespread prion; breeds South Georgia, Heard, Kerguelen, Macquarie. Feeds on crustaceans; makes deep dives compared to congeners.

Magellanic Diving-petrel

20–24 cm. Dark above, white below; narrow white tips to secondary feathers. Breeds southern Chile and Argentina (Strait of Magellan and Falklands). Year-round resident in coastal cold waters. Feeds on fish and crustaceans by pursuit-diving; nests in burrows on coastal islands.

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