Antarctic Prion vs Murphy's Petrel
Pachyptila desolata compared with Pterodroma ultima
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antarctic Prion | Murphy's Petrel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachyptila desolata | Pterodroma ultima |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | 52.0 cm (20.5 in) |
| Weight | 149.0 g (5.26 oz) | 380.0 g (13.40 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Antarctic Prion
Least Concern
Murphy's 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.
Murphy's Petrel
39–41 cm. Dark grey-brown above; variable pale grey below with dusky underwing. Breeds widely across central Pacific (Pitcairn, Austral, Henderson islands). Migrates to North Pacific in non-breeding season. Feeds on squid and fish; nocturnal at breeding colonies; Near Threatened.