Photo: pjd1 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Broad-billed Prion
Pachyptila vittata
Broad-billed Prion (Pachyptila vittata) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Broad-billed Prion (Pachyptila vittata) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 196 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Procellariiformes
- Family Procellariidae Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels
- Genus Pachyptila
- Species vittata
Where it lives
Islets off South I. and outlying is. groups of New Zealand, and Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough (Tristan da Cunha group, south-central Atlantic Ocean)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 196 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Critically Endangered
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Broad-billed Prion hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Broad-billed Prion is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Broad-billed Prion (Pachyptila vittata) belongs to the Procellariidae family of the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers SO islets off South I. and outlying is. groups of New Zealand, and Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough (Tristan da Cunha group, sc Atlantic Ocean).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 196 g, with a wing length of about 19.5 cm and a tail of around 9.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 50.8 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Broad-billed Prion?
The Broad-billed Prion is a large bird that weighs around 196 g.
Where does the Broad-billed Prion live?
The Broad-billed Prion is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering SO islets off South I. and outlying is. groups of New Zealand, and Nightingale, Inaccessible, and Gough (Tristan da Cunha group, sc Atlantic Ocean), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Broad-billed Prion belong to?
The Broad-billed Prion (Pachyptila vittata) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Broad-billed Prion eat?
The Broad-billed Prion hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Broad-billed Prion migrate?
The Broad-billed Prion is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Broad-billed Prion endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Broad-billed Prion make?
1 real field recording of the Broad-billed Prion — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Broad-billed Prion's range?
The Broad-billed Prion has a mapped global range of about 50.8 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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