Antarctic Prion vs Rapa Shearwater
Pachyptila desolata compared with Puffinus myrtae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Antarctic Prion | Rapa Shearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachyptila desolata | Puffinus myrtae |
| Order | Procellariiformes | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae | Procellariidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 36.5 cm (14.4 in) | 48.2 cm (19.0 in) |
| Weight | 149.0 g (5.26 oz) | 237.5 g (8.38 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Antarctic Prion
Critically Endangered
Rapa 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.
Rapa Shearwater
30–33 cm. Dark above; white below. Breeds Rapa Island (French Polynesia). Critically Endangered with a very small population on a single island. Poorly known; threatened by introduced predators. Ranges in central south Pacific; one of the rarest shearwaters.