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Pachyptila is a genus of in the family Procellariidae and the order Procellariiformes. The members of this genus and the blue petrel form a sub-group called prions. They range throughout the southern hemisphere, often in the much cooler higher latitudes. Three species, the broad-billed prion ( Pachyptila vittata), the Antarctic prion ( Pachyptila desolata) and the fairy prion ( Pachyptila turtur), range into the subtropics.
All the members of this genus, along with the rest of the Procellariiformes, share certain identifying features. First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called naricorns, although the nostrils on the albatross are on the sides of the bill. The bills of Procellariiformes are also unique in that they are split into between seven and nine horny plates. The genus produces a stomach oil made up of and that is stored in the proventriculus. This can be sprayed out of their mouths as a defence against predators and as an energy-rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights.Double, M. C. (2003) Finally, they also have a salt gland that is situated above the nasal passage and helps free their bodies of the salt in the seawater they often imbibe. The gland excretes a concentrated saline solution from the nose.Ehrlich, Paul R. (1988)
| breeds on subtropical and subantarctic islandsClements, James (2007) |
| breeds on Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Falkland Islands, and Noir Island |
| breeds on Snares Islands, Bounty Islands, Chatham Islands, Heard Island and the Auckland Islands |
| breeds on islands near New Zealand and the Tristan da Cunha group |
| breeds Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Heard Island, the Scotia Archipelago, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, Scott Island Auckland Island and Macquarie Island |
| breeds on Prince Edwards Islands, Crozet Islands, Amsterdam Island and St. Paul Island |
| Breeds on the Roche Quille, off Saint Paul Island and on Gough Island in the Tristan da Cunha group. |
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