Antarctic Prion vs Townsend's Shearwater
Pachyptila desolata compared with Puffinus auricularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antarctic Prion | Townsend's Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachyptila desolata | Puffinus auricularis |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | 44.0 cm (17.3 in) |
| Weight | 149.0 g (5.26 oz) | 324.0 g (11.43 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Antarctic Prion
Critically Endangered
Townsend'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.
Townsend's Shearwater
33–35 cm. Dark above; white below with dark vent and undertail. Breeds Revillagigedo Islands (Mexico); Critically Endangered with fewer than 1,000 pairs. Threatened by introduced cats and rats; strictly nocturnal at colonies. Ranges in eastern Pacific.