Seabird
A bird adapted to life at sea, typically feeding in marine waters and returning to land or islands to breed.
Marine ecology: The study of relationships among organisms and their physical environment in oceans and coastal waters. Seabirds occupy marine food webs and connect ocean habitats with breeding sites on land.
Seabird foraging: The search for and capture of food by birds that feed in marine environments. Diving, surface-feeding, and pursuit of prey are distinct ways seabirds exploit ocean food.
Seabird monitoring: The repeated observation of seabirds to track populations, distribution, or condition. Counts and tracking data reveal changes in marine ecosystems and breeding success.
Seabird conservation: The protection and recovery of seabird species, populations, and habitats. Conservation addresses declines caused by fishing, invasive predators, pollution, and habitat loss.
Waterbird: A bird ecologically associated with aquatic habitats, including freshwater, coastal, or marine environments. Waterbirds include many freshwater species, whereas seabirds are specifically adapted to marine life.
Feathers: Keratin structures that cover birds and enable flight, insulation, and display. Water-resistant plumage helps seabirds retain insulation while exposed to wind and spray.
Seabird migration: Seasonal or regular long-distance movement by seabirds between feeding and breeding areas. Some species cross entire ocean basins between productive waters and nesting sites.
Seabird as an indicator species: A species whose condition or abundance provides evidence about environmental conditions. Seabirds can signal shifts in prey availability, contaminants, and ocean productivity.
Longline fishing: A fishing method using a main line carrying many baited hooks. Seabirds can seize baited hooks and drown when lines sink beneath the surface.
Shorebird: A bird that commonly feeds along shorelines, often on exposed mud, sand, or shallow water. Shorebirds use coasts but many do not forage at sea or depend on marine breeding patterns.