ANTARTIC PRION

Photographed on Port MacDonnell pelagic, June 2019

1297                   ANTARTIC PRION                    Pachyptila desolata

AUSTRALIA                780

Also known as Dove Prion, and more commonly as whalebird. Breeds in Antarctic and sub-antartica islands; Ranges to n to 35degrees south, occasionally across equator. Common winter-spring visitor to offshore waters of s Australia from s WA to Was and to se Queensland.

SLENDER-BILLED PRION

Photographed on Port Fairy pelagic, August 2016

801         SLENDER-BILLED PRION         Pachyptila belcheri

Australia         (645)

25-26 cm, span 56 cm. Breeds Crozets and Kerguelen Is (s Indian Ocean); Falkland Is (S. Atlantic) and islands off S. America. Ranges n. in winter to c. 30 degrees S. Uncommon winter/spring visitor from s. WA to Tas., NSW to se Q. Common on sw and s coasts.

Port MacDonnell pelagic, South Australia, 26 August, 2019

FAIRY PRION

Photographed on the Port Fairy Pelagic trip, December 2015

733                FAIRY PRION           Pachyptila turtur

Australia           (576)

The smallest of the prions, 23-28 cm; wingspan c. 56 cm. Breeds in coastal NZ and many islands; also s. Indian and s. Atlantic Oceans. Breeds islands around Tasmania; in Bass Strait off Wilson's Prom., w. to Lady Julia Percy Island and Lawrence Rocks (w. Vic). Common offshore se Aust. w. to Eyre Pen. (SA) and n. to c. Q. where less common,; rarest in s. WA. Present through Bass Strait and Tas. most months, with a winter peak. Gales drive many ashore.

Photographed on Kiama Pelagic, June 2016