Pachyptila vittata (G.Forster, 1777)

Description

Plumage Coloration

The broad-billed prion has the typical coloration of prions: blue-grey upperparts, white underparts, and a consistent dark 'M' marking stretching across its back and wings. It has a grey crown, a dark eye stripe, and a black-tipped tail.

Bill Features

Its thick bill is iron-grey, but can look blackish when viewed from a distance. Compared to the similar fairy prion, the broad-billed prion has a more distinct head pattern and a less extensive tail band.

Lamellae Function

Among all prions, its bill has the most highly developed lamellae, which let it feed on tiny animals.

Size Specifications

This is a large prion species, measuring 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) in length, with a wingspan of 57 to 66 cm (22 to 26 in) and an average weight of 160 to 235 g (5.6 to 8.3 oz).

Distribution and habitat

This species occurs across oceans and coastal areas of the Southern Hemisphere. Its colonies are located on Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha, South Island, the Chatham Islands, the subantarctic Antipodes Islands, and other islands off the coast of New Zealand.