Fairy Prion

The Fairy Prion, Pachyptila turtur, is a diminutive seabird, cloaked in the characteristic prion attire of blue-grey upperparts adorned with a conspicuous dark "M" marking, contrasting with its pure white underparts. This species exhibits sexual monomorphism, with both sexes sharing the same plumage.

Identification Tips

To identify the Fairy Prion, look for a bird approximately 25 cm in length with a wingspan of 56 cm. The upperparts are blue-grey with a distinctive dark "M" extending to the wingtips, and the tail is wedge-shaped with a dark tip. The underparts are predominantly white. The bill is pale blue, and the legs and feet share the same hue. At sea, it is easily confused with the Fulmar Prion, as they are indistinguishable in that setting.

Habitat

The Fairy Prion is a bird of the ocean, favoring the low subantarctic and subtropical seas for its marine pursuits.

Distribution

This species is widely distributed across the Southern Hemisphere's oceans and coastal areas. Colonies are found in various locations, including the Falkland Isles, Bass Strait Islands of Australia, Crozet Isles, and several islands off New Zealand such as the Chatham, Antipodes, and Snares Islands.

Behaviour

The Fairy Prion is a colonial breeder, preferring secluded islands for nesting. They construct their nests in soil, concealed by vegetation, or within crevices, using their bills or feet to dig. These birds exhibit a tender nocturnal ritual, softly cooing and listening for their mate's response upon returning to their nest.

Song & Calls

At night, when approaching their nesting sites, Fairy Prions engage in a gentle cooing to communicate with their partners.

Breeding

Fairy Prions breed in colonies on small islands, with nests artfully hidden by the surrounding vegetation or nestled within crevices.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Fairy Prion is primarily composed of planktonic crustaceans and minuscule fish. They employ two foraging techniques: snatching prey from the ocean's surface or gracefully dipping their bills into the water while in flight.

Conservation status

The Fairy Prion is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated global population of 5 million individuals and a vast range of approximately 24.6 million square kilometers.