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Fairy Prion (southern) (Pachyptila turtur subantarctica)

The southern Fairy Prion is a marine seabird of temperate and subantarctic seas. In Australia it is seen offshore over continental shelf and pelagic waters, and may occur in deep coastal waters or close inshore during rough weather.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Tasmania, Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

BetterBirding records peak from May to July, with regional peaks in May in South Australia and Western Australia, May to July in Victoria, and June to July in New South Wales and Queensland.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Present in Australian waters: BetterBirding records peak from May to July, with regional peaks in May in South Australia and Western Australia, May to July in Victoria, and June to July in New South Wales and Queensland.

Identification: Appearance

It is a small prion with blue-grey upperparts, a prominent dark M marking and white underparts. The sexes are alike.

It is a small prion with blue-grey upperparts, a prominent dark M marking and white underparts. The sexes are alike.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

In Australian waters, it is commonly seen offshore over the continental shelf and pelagic waters. Beachcast birds have been recorded along the NSW coast, and the subantarctic form has been reported breeding on Macquarie Island.

In Australian waters, it is commonly seen offshore over the continental shelf and pelagic waters. Beachcast birds have been recorded along the NSW coast, and the subantarctic form has been reported breeding on Macquarie Island.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It occurs in temperate and subantarctic seas, including over continental shelves and slopes and in deep coastal waters. It can come close inshore in rough weather.

It occurs in temperate and subantarctic seas, including over continental shelves and slopes and in deep coastal waters. It can come close inshore in rough weather.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

The subantarctic form has been reported breeding on the Antipodes and Snares islands and Macquarie Island. Fairy prions nest colonially on oceanic islands.

The subantarctic form has been reported breeding on the Antipodes and Snares islands and Macquarie Island. Fairy prions nest colonially on oceanic islands.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Nesting sites include burrows and crevices in cliffs, rock falls and sparse grassland.

Nesting sites include burrows and crevices in cliffs, rock falls and sparse grassland.

Threats: Threats

Introduced mammalian predators are a concern at breeding islands; the species is described as breeding on islands where such predators have not gained a foothold.

Introduced mammalian predators are a concern at breeding islands; the species is described as breeding on islands where such predators have not gained a foothold.

Threats: Works risk

Island clearing or construction that removes burrows and rock crevices could affect nesting sites. Lighting near breeding sites may also affect birds that come ashore to breed in darkness.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

At-sea movements have been studied using miniaturised GPS loggers during breeding and geolocators during the non-breeding period. Beachcast birds may also be recorded along the NSW coast.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened birds, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources