Broad-billed Prion

The Broad-billed Prion, Pachyptila vittata, is a small pelagic seabird belonging to the shearwater and petrel family, Procellariidae. It is the largest of the prions, distinguished by its grey upperparts and pristine white underparts. Both sexes are similar in appearance, with a robust, iron-grey bill that may seem blackish from afar. The bird's head is adorned with a grey crown and a dark eye stripe, while its tail is tipped with black.

Identification Tips

When observing the Broad-billed Prion, look for the characteristic dark "M" pattern across its back and wings, which is a common feature among prions. The bird's head pattern is more distinct compared to the Fairy Prion, and its tail band is less extensive. The bill is notable for its well-developed lamellae, which are used for filtering food from the water.

Habitat

This seabird is found in oceans and coastal areas of the Southern Hemisphere, often near the Antarctic Convergence.

Distribution

The Broad-billed Prion breeds on remote islands such as Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, and the Chatham Islands, as well as on islands off the south coast of New Zealand's South Island. It ranges across the southeast Atlantic to New Zealand.

Behaviour

Broad-billed Prions are social birds, engaging in nocturnal or burrow-based courtship displays. They are known to be aggressive when defending their nests, employing tactics such as calling, posturing, and neck-biting.

Feeding

These gregarious birds feed on crustaceans, squid, and fish. They employ a unique feeding method known as hydroplaning, where they skim the water's surface with their bill to filter food. They also surface-seize their prey and are not commonly seen following fishing boats.

Breeding

The breeding season commences in July or August on coastal slopes, lava fields, or cliffs. The Broad-billed Prion lays a single white egg in a burrow-type nest. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the egg for 50 days and raising the chick for an additional 50 days. Predation by skuas is a concern, and on some islands, introduced cats and rats have significantly impacted their numbers.

Conservation Status

With an estimated population of 15 million and a vast occurrence range, the Broad-billed Prion is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, it is essential to monitor their numbers due to potential threats from introduced predators on breeding islands.