Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata)

Identification & Behavior: ~27 cm (11 in). The Antarctic Prion (or Dove Prion) has bluish-gray upperparts with a black “M” pattern on the back. The throat and rest of the underparts are white. The forehead and crown are darker than the back. The face is white with a blackish mask across the eye, which gives the impression of having a white superciliary. The tail is concolor with the back and has a black terminal band. The underwing is also white. The bill is thick and stubby. It is very similar to the Broad-billed Prion but is distinguished by having a slender bill. These two prions are probably indistinguishable at sea. The Slender-billed Prion has a forehead and cap concolor with the back.

Status: The Antarctic Prion is known only from carcasses washed ashore. It is presumed to occur in pelagic waters on Peru. It also occurs in Br and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Petrel-Azul Antártico.

Sub-species: Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata), (J. F. Gmelin), 1789.

Meaning of Name: Pachyptila: Gr. pakhus= dense, thick and ptilon= feather, plumage. desolata: L. desolates, desolare= forsaken, desolated, to abandon.

See more of the Family Procellariidae