Salvin's Prion

Salvin’s prion is a blue-grey-and-white migrant that reaches New Zealand from vast Indian Ocean breeding colonies. It carries the prion’s black M across the back and black tail tip; its bowed grey-blue bill is 13.5–17.5 mm wide with filtering lamellae visible when closed. Antarctic prion has straighter bill sides.

It breeds on Crozet and Prince Edward islands and reaches New Zealand mainly in winter, when wrecks occur along the western North Island. Birds hydroplane and dip into the upper 10 cm for small crustaceans, fish and squid.

Salvin’s prion is a Migrant under the NZ Threat Classification. Cats and rats reduce breeding success on parts of its overseas range. Live sightings are difficult; winter beach-wrecks on the western North Island provide many New Zealand records.