Spectacular Seabirds

The oceans cover 71% of our planet Earth.  Across these watery expanses, around 300 species of seabirds (comprising around 3% of the approximately 9,700 bird species recognised), spend their lives.  Seabirds only generally come to land to breed, the rest of the year they derive their living from the sea environment.

Seabird populations face many threats from mammalian predation at island breeding sites to pollution and fishing nets in the open ocean.

Any glimpse of these magnificent birds is treasured, especially the largest, the albatrosses.  Their grace, strength, agility and power in wild winds or light airs, is beautiful to see.

 

Wandering Albatross - gorgeous!

Wandering Albatross – gorgeous!

 

A Shy albatross looking a tad tatty, either mottling or chomped by a shark?

A Shy albatross looking a tad tatty, either mottling or chomped by a shark?

 

Mr. Albatross. A Shy Albatross that was not too shy.

Mr. Albatross. A Shy Albatross that was not too shy.

 

"Prepare for landing!", an adult Southern Giant-Petrel landing on the cool sea. Photo credit M. Jenner

“Prepare for landing!”, an adult Southern Giant-Petrel landing on the cool sea.
Photo credit M. Jenner

 

An adult Wandering albatross with interesting pink cheek markings - perhaps from feeding on the krill. Photo credit M. Jenner

An adult Wandering albatross with interesting pink cheek markings – perhaps from feeding on the krill.
Photo credit M. Jenner

 

 

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