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Seabirds

Seabird Diversity

Approximately 350 seabird species spend most of their lives on or over the ocean, returning to land only to breed. Major groups include: albatrosses and petrels (order Procellariiformes—tubenoses with salt-excreting nasal glands and extraordinary soaring ability; the wandering albatross has a 3.5-meter wingspan—the largest of any living bird—and can circumnavigate the globe on ocean winds), penguins (18 species, all in the Southern Hemisphere, flightless but superbly adapted for underwater pursuit of fish and krill—emperor penguins dive to 560 meters), pelicans and boobies (plunge-divers with air sacs that cushion impact), gulls and terns (versatile coastal species), and alcids (puffins, murres—the Northern Hemisphere ecological equivalents of penguins). Seabirds serve as indicators of ocean health: declining seabird populations often signal problems with fish stocks or ocean pollution.

Seabirds

Seabird Diversity

Approximately 350 seabird species spend most of their lives on or over the ocean, returning to land only to breed. Major groups include: albatrosses and petrels (order Procellariiformes—tubenoses with salt-excreting nasal glands and extraordinary soaring ability; the wandering albatross has a 3.5-meter wingspan—the largest of any living bird—and can circumnavigate the globe on ocean winds), penguins (18 species, all in the Southern Hemisphere, flightless but superbly adapted for underwater pursuit of fish and krill—emperor penguins dive to 560 meters), pelicans and boobies (plunge-divers with air sacs that cushion impact), gulls and terns (versatile coastal species), and alcids (puffins, murres—the Northern Hemisphere ecological equivalents of penguins). Seabirds serve as indicators of ocean health: declining seabird populations often signal problems with fish stocks or ocean pollution.