Prion, also called whalebird, is any of six species of sea birds. Prions are found in the Southern Hemisphere. They grow up to about 12 inches (30 centimeters) in length and are blue-gray above with white underparts. They have a dark W-shaped marking on the wing.
Prions are usually seen in large flocks, flying quickly over the surface of the water. They catch plankton and other small creatures on which they feed. Small organisms such as plankton are filtered out by lamellae (plates) on the bill. In summer, prions form breeding colonies on islands in the southern oceans. The fairy prion nests on islands off the coast of Australia.
