Antarctic Prion vs Great-winged Petrel

Pachyptila desolata compared with Pterodroma macroptera

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Antarctic Prion Great-winged Petrel
Scientific Name Pachyptila desolata Pterodroma macroptera
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 36.5 cm (14.4 in) 60.7 cm (23.9 in)
Weight 149.0 g (5.26 oz) 548.75 g (19.36 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Antarctic Prion only

Great-winged Petrel only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Antarctic Prion

Least Concern

Great-winged 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.

Great-winged Petrel

41 cm, wingspan 97 cm. Large all-dark gadfly petrel; dusky bill, black feet. Breeds on islands from Tristan da Cunha to SW Australia and New Zealand. Ranges widely in southern Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. Flies with characteristic high arcing; feeds on squid and fish.

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