Antarctic Prion vs Fluttering Shearwater
Pachyptila desolata compared with Puffinus gavia
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antarctic Prion | Fluttering Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachyptila desolata | Puffinus gavia |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | 39.6 cm (15.6 in) |
| Weight | 149.0 g (5.26 oz) | 267.6666666666667 g (9.44 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Antarctic Prion
Least Concern
Fluttering Shearwater
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.
Fluttering Shearwater
33 cm. Dark brown above; white below; relatively short-tailed. Breeds New Zealand North Island coast; non-breeding range restricted to Tasman Sea and nearby waters. Sedentary compared to most shearwaters; feeds on fish and squid. Near Threatened due to small range.