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Kōrero: Petrels

Broad-billed prion

Image
Broad-billed prion

Some prions’ bills have comb-like fringes called lamellae to filter plankton from water, similar to the filter plates of baleen whales. These are most evident in the broad-billed prions. They feed by running across the surface of the water with their bill open under water, while moving their head from side to side and skimming for small crustaceans (mainly copepods). Weighing 200 grams, the broad-billed is the largest prion.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10035307

by Don Merton

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Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Petrels – Prions, gadfly, storm and diving petrels, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/8591/broad-billed-prion (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerry-Jayne Wilson, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.