Antarctic Prion vs Audubon's Shearwater

Pachyptila desolata compared with Puffinus lherminieri

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Antarctic Prion Audubon's Shearwater
Scientific Name Pachyptila desolata Puffinus lherminieri
Order Procellariiformes Procellariiformes
Family Procellariidae Procellariidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 36.5 cm (14.4 in) 37.1 cm (14.6 in)
Weight 149.0 g (5.26 oz) 209.0 g (7.37 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Antarctic Prion only

Audubon's Shearwater only

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Antarctic Prion

Least Concern

Audubon's 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.

Audubon's Shearwater

27–33 cm. Small; dark brown above; white below with clean-cut pattern. Breeds Caribbean, tropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean islands. Wide geographic range with multiple subspecies. Feeds on fish; breeds in burrows on oceanic islands; Near Threatened.

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