Search results
Jul 8, 2023 · Here are some of the most incredible and amazing seabirds of North America. Learn about their behaviors, diets, nesting habits and more.
Seabirds of North America covers a wide range of birds that are found near the coasts and oceans of the continent, varying in size, from the small auklets to the large albatrosses.
- Origins and Adaptations
- Behavior: Breeding and Feeding
- Seabirds on The Move
- Major Seabird Groups
- Threats to Seabirds
- Seabird Conservation
- How You Can Help Seabirds
The first seabird-like creatures that we know of were the Hesperornithes, early flightless birds that evolved during the Cretaceous period, at the end of the “age of the dinosaurs.” These birds propelled themselves underwater with their feet. Among bird species alive today, large grebes, such as the Great Grebe, may hold the closest resemblance to ...
Seabirds tend to be long-lived, with many producing relatively few chicks (only one each year or even every other year in some species), for which they invest much time and resources. To raise these chicks, most seabirds form pairs that may mate for life, with both males and females contributing to raising offspring. Often, seabirds nest in breedin...
Seabirds' migratory behavior varies. Some species stay relatively close to home, remaining in feeding areas within a few hundred miles of their nesting colonies. Others, however, are among the most impressive long-distance migrants in the bird world. Arctic Terns, for example, move between the Arctic and Antarctic each year, a round-trip journey of...
Albatrosses, petrels, and storm-petrels: These “tube-nosed” birds have an unusually acute sense of smell, honing in on decaying marine life, prey species, and a chemical called dimethyl sulfide, which is produced by phytoplankton and can indicate a particularly rich foraging area. The world's largest seabird, the Wandering Albatross, with a wingspa...
As a group, seabirds are among the world's most endangered birds — nearly one-third of all seabird species are listed under a threat category by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their declines are due to a number of factors, including the following: Invasive species:Many seabird species evolved on distant islands without p...
American Bird Conservancy (ABC) works in a variety of ways to safeguard seabirds. We protect breeding habitats and help restore them by removing invasive predators. We also work to establish new protected breeding sites. Among other projects, ABC and partners have built a predator-proof fence around seven acres within Kilauea Point National Wildlif...
Policies enacted by the U.S. Congress and federal agencies have a huge impact on seabirds. You can help shape these rules for the better by urging lawmakers to prioritize birds and bird-friendly measures. To get started, visit ABC's Action Center. Plastics pose a deadly threat to seabirds around the world. You can help seabirds by reducing your dai...
Several organizations in North America are especially concerned with the study and conservation of seabirds, for example The Pacific Seabird Group and the Waterbird Society. The Canadian Wildlife Federation also funds research about seabirds like Sabine’s Gull, Ross’s Gull and the Ivory Gull.
- Atlantic Puffin. Atlantic puffins have some of the flashiest beaks out there, earning them nicknames like “sea parrot” and “clown of the sea.” Their beaks’ bright orange coloring is only that vibrant in the warmer summer months—as they’re showing off for potential mates during breeding season.
- Brown Pelican. Known for their iconic throat pouches, pelicans are some of the most recognizable seabirds. Brown pelicans will fly as high as 60 feet above the surface to scope out prey, then plunge into the water to scoop up fish in their stretchy throat pouches.
- Laysan Albatross. After having been severely threatened by feather hunters, Laysan albatross populations have since recovered to about 600,000 breeding pairs.
- Double-crested Cormorant. The most widely-distributed cormorant in North America, these birds can be found from Alaska’s Aleutian Islands all the way south to Mexico.
Get an idea of what species are common and what are less common, know what these species look like, and make yourself a cheat sheet to have on board with you with just some of the key criteria for the birds you might encounter.
People also ask
What are seabirds of North America?
What are marine birds?
What is a seabird?
Who were the first seabirds?
Are there different types of seabirds?
Do seabirds make a living from the ocean?
Marine birds, also known as seabirds, are a diverse group of birds that have evolved to live and thrive in marine environments. These birds have unique adaptations that allow them to navigate vast oceans, exploit marine resources, and overcome the challenges presented by a life at sea.
