Procellariidae

Quick Facts: Who was Procellariidae?

Subject:

Procellariidae

Known for:

Diverse family of seabirds including petrels, prions, and shearwaters.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The family Procellariidae is a group of seabirds that comprises the fulmarine petrels, the gadfly petrels, the diving petrels, the prions, and the shearwaters. This family is part of the bird order Procellariiformes (or tubenoses), which also includes the albatrosses and the storm petrels. The procellariids are the most numerous family of tubenoses, and the most diverse.

Career & Major Achievements

They range in size from the giant petrels with a wingspan of around 2.0 m (6 ft 7 in), that are almost as large as the albatrosses, to the diving petrels with a wingspan of around 34 cm (13 in) that are similar in size to the little auks or dovekies in the family Alcidae. Male and female birds are identical in appearance. The plumage colour is generally dull, with blacks, whites, browns and greys.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The birds feed on fish, squid and crustacea, with many also taking fisheries discards and carrion. Whilst agile swimmers and excellent in water, petrels have weak legs and can only shuffle on land, with the giant petrels of the genus Macronectes being the only two species that are capable of proper terrestrial locomotion.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Procellariidae

True or False: “True or false: All species within the Procellariidae family are equally capable of walking long distances on land.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While many are excellent swimmers, they generally have weak legs. Only the giant petrels of the genus Macronectes are noted as being capable of proper terrestrial locomotion.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Procellariidae