The broad-billed prion is a small pelagic seabird in the shearwater and petrel family, Procellariidae. It is the largest prion, with grey upperparts plumage, and white underparts. The sexes are alike. It ranges from the southeast Atlantic to New Zealand mainly near the Antarctic Convergence. In the south Atlantic it breeds on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island; in the south Pacific it breeds on islands off the south coast of South Island, New Zealand and on the Chatham Islands. It has many other names that have been used such as blue-billed dove-petrel, broad-billed dove-petrel, long-billed prion, common prion, icebird, and whalebird.
Region
Southern Ocean
Typical Environment
At sea it roams widely across subantarctic and temperate waters, especially near the Antarctic Convergence. It breeds on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island in the South Atlantic, and on offshore islands south of New Zealand and in the Chatham Islands in the South Pacific. Outside the breeding season it disperses broadly over open ocean, rarely approaching land except during storms. Colonies are on grassy, tussock-covered or shrubby islands with soft soils suitable for burrowing.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The broad-billed prion is the largest prion, notable for its unusually wide, flattened bill lined with comb-like lamellae used to sieve tiny plankton from the water. It breeds in dense nocturnal colonies in burrows on predator-free islands. Also known as the whalebird, it often forages along the Antarctic Convergence where cold and warm waters meet. Introduced predators such as rats and cats can devastate breeding colonies.
1888 illustration of the broad-billed prion's head and beak
Temperament
pelagic and wary; social in flocks
Flight Pattern
low, shearing flight with rapid wingbeats and dynamic soaring over waves
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially in burrows or rock crevices, arriving and departing colonies mainly at night to avoid predators. Pairs are monogamous, typically laying a single egg per season. Both parents share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives soft, cooing trills and chatter, often in duets between mates. Calls are mainly nocturnal, carrying over the colony in bursts when birds arrive or depart.
