Antarctic Prion vs Common Diving-petrel
Pachyptila desolata compared with Pelecanoides urinatrix
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antarctic Prion | Common Diving-petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachyptila desolata | Pelecanoides urinatrix |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | 24.3 cm (9.6 in) |
| Weight | 149.0 g (5.26 oz) | 135.5 g (4.78 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Antarctic Prion
Least Concern
Common 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.
Common Diving-petrel
20–25 cm. Dark above; white below; broad wings used for underwater propulsion. Most widespread diving-petrel; breeds New Zealand, southern Australia, Falklands, and subantarctic islands. Feeds on small fish and crustaceans by diving. Highly vulnerable to introduced predators at nesting colonies.