Articles tagged with Seabirds
Researchers found zero skua nests and almost zero Antarctic petrel and snow petrel nests in regions with significantly higher snowfall than previous years. Extreme snowstorms interfere with the birds' ability to breed, causing tens of thousands of chicks and eggs to die.
Researchers investigated how seabird flight characteristics vary among different species in response to cyclone-strength winds. Birds living in windier environments are faster fliers, while tropical species use strategies to cope with extreme events. Some albatrosses even avoid strong winds by flying into the eye of the storm.
Researchers found that seabird species have unique wind tolerance strategies, with some flying fast to counteract wind drift. Albatrosses can fly in most storm conditions, while tropical species use special avoidance tactics.
Researchers found that the feathers of large seabirds contained nutrients from multiple ocean basins, while smaller birds had elements matching their local foraging environments. This discovery may explain the long-distance migrations of threatened species.
Researchers have identified two new feather mite species associated with the endangered Laysan albatross in Japan. The study provides valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of these parasites and their impact on the bird population. The findings highlight the importance of conservation efforts to protect this species.
A recent study by University of Washington researchers found that climate 'presses' and 'pulses' have equal importance on Magellanic penguin population survival. The team analyzed nearly four decades of data at Punta Tombo, Argentina, revealing a decline in breeding pairs from 400,000 to 150,000 between the 1980s and 2019.
Scientists found that invasive black rats transform reef fish behavior, causing changes in territorial patterns and nutrient cycles. The presence of rats disrupts the nutrient cycle by reducing seabird populations and nutrients deposited onto islands.
A new study found that wandering albatrosses with older partners take shorter feeding trips and return to the nest sooner, benefiting both parents. This behavior helps them assess how much pressure their partner can handle, ensuring they don't overwork each other.
Researchers tracked puffins with tracking devices, revealing they lose flying ability during 1-2 month molting period, making them vulnerable to severe weather conditions. The study suggests this timing is significant as climate change increases winter cyclones in the North Atlantic.
Researchers from SPUN mapped the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi across Palmyra Atoll, finding unique nutrient feedback loops that support rainforests, plankton communities, and coral reefs. The study highlights the importance of these underground networks in maintaining ecosystem resilience to climate change.
A new study presents a comprehensive framework for assessing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine birds. Researchers propose three steps for mitigation: avoid, minimize, and offset, with the potential to offset negative impacts through conservation strategies that can increase seabird population sizes.
A study found widespread occurrence of microplastics in Monterey Bay water and in the digestive tracts of anchovies and common murres. The researchers discovered that almost a quarter of the examined murres had particles exhibiting estrogenic activity, potentially disrupting hormone functions.
Researchers have discovered that erect-crested penguins, an endangered species, lay a smaller first egg and reject it in favor of a larger second egg. This reproductive strategy allows the bird to better feed its chicks and increases the chances of survival for both eggs.
Researchers found pelagic seabirds fly into the eye of a storm to reduce risk of injury or death. The birds' unique flight style allows them to navigate strong winds.
Invasive house mice on Southeast Farallon Island consume and compete with native species for food, leading to significant impacts on the island ecosystem. The study found that mice are highly opportunistic eaters whose diets vary throughout the year in response to changes in food availability.
A study finds that rising sea temperatures will negatively impact adult survival rates of Bulwer's petrels in Azores, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde. The tropical population of Cape Verde is expected to be the most affected due to its narrow temperature range and resident nature.
A 12,000-year analysis of El Niño's impact on animal communities reveals a tipping point where five or more major events per century lead to dramatic changes in eastern Pacific ecosystems. This finding suggests that strong El Niño events will play an increasingly important role in shaping future ecosystems.
Conservationists deployed wooden nest boxes to provide shelter for Roseate Terns, resulting in a tenfold increase in breeding pairs. The strategy also boosted other colonies in Wexford and England.
A study led by researchers at the University of Barcelona found that most Mediterranean European storm petrels migrate to the North Atlantic Ocean during the winter season. The birds spend more time resting in the water during the day than at night, indicating they forage mainly at night.
A new study reveals that Manx shearwaters use dynamic soaring to harvest wind energy and travel efficiently across the ocean. The birds' ability to adapt their flight patterns to optimize energy gain suggests a potentially game-changing strategy for drones and other aerial vehicles.
Researchers from Nagoya University found that Quetzalcoatlus was not suited for soaring flight due to its large wing loading. The study suggests that the Quetzalcoatlus's thermal soaring abilities were below those of modern birds, contrary to previous assumptions.
The Bird Language Diversity app provides a 'birds eye view' of vital information on bird species globally. Researchers found that 1587 species have 10 languages or more spoken within their distributions, highlighting the importance of overcoming language barriers for effective conservation measures.
A study published in Nature Communications found that male Caspian terns carry the main responsibility for teaching young birds the secrets of migration during their first journey. Young birds always remained close to an adult bird and died if they lost contact, highlighting the importance of experienced adults guiding them to survive.
A new bird species, Fregetta lineata, was discovered in New Caledonia and is believed to be critically endangered. With an estimated population of 100 to 1,000 pairs, the species is already threatened.
Researchers found that dynamic ocean management is more effective in reducing accidental catch than permanent marine protected areas. Dynamic closures track real-time data and close smaller areas as species hotspots shift, resulting in up to 57% reduction in bycatch.
Researchers at University of Washington documented a mass mortality event among Magellanic penguins in Punta Tombo, Argentina, due to extreme heat. The January 2019 heat wave killed at least 354 adult penguins and 90 chicks, with nearly three-quarters of the deceased being adults primarily due to dehydration.
Scientists used biologging tech to track three seabird species taking different migration routes from a shared Canadian Arctic nesting location. The study adds evidence linking marine biodiversity in the Arctic region to high seas conservation efforts. Local coastal communities are connected through these Arctic seabirds' migrations.
A study equipped seabirds with tracking technology to track their movements and feeding grounds. The research found that fishing vessels can help identify areas where seabirds go to feed, which is vital for protecting endangered species like the northern fulmar.
Researchers used seabird prey data to inform fisheries management and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the marine ecosystem. The study revealed a surge in anchovy populations and changes in rockfish recruitment, informing ecologists and fisheries managers.
Seabirds are dying from starvation after being exposed to cyclones, which disrupt their ability to feed. The study found that birds can't fly in high winds and dive into stormy seas, leaving them without food sources.
A study published in Journal of Experimental Biology found that Arctic seabirds are poorly adapted to cope with rising temperatures, leading to increased mortality rates. The researchers discovered that murres have an extremely poor ability to dissipate heat, making them more vulnerable to heat stress.
A seabird colony on Ascension Island creates a 'halo' of depleted fish stocks, with reduced flying fish numbers detected up to 90 miles from the island. The study provides rare evidence for Ashmole's halo, a pattern of prey depletion first proposed 60 years ago.
Researchers discovered that seabirds' reliance on flying fish as prey leads to reduced fish populations over 150 km from breeding colonies. This depletion effect is worsened by fisheries, posing a threat to seabirds' survival.
A massive flock of over 20,000 whimbrel has been discovered on Deveaux Bank in South Carolina, marking the world's largest known night roost for the declining shorebird species. The discovery provides critical hope for protecting this rare bird and highlights the importance of coastal habitat conservation.
Scientists used drones and artificial intelligence to analyze over 10,000 images of seabirds in the Falkland Islands, achieving accurate counts with 97% accuracy for albatrosses and 87% for penguins. This technology increases ability to monitor seabird colonies worldwide and track marine ecosystem health.
New research highlights the importance of coastal seaweed for migratory shorebirds, providing shelter and microclimates that regulate their body temperatures. Removing beach-cast sea wrack can have devastating impacts on bird populations.
Climate change and human activities are causing reproductive success to decline in fish-eating seabirds in the Northern Hemisphere. Seabird diets played a major role in their ability to rear chicks, with deep-diving birds like puffins faring best in terms of reproductive success.
Researchers found that Northern Hemisphere seabirds suffer greater breeding productivity stresses than their Southern Hemisphere counterparts. This suggests the need for hemispheric-scale ocean management and long-term monitoring programs.
A study found that fish-eating seabirds are struggling to raise young due to ocean warming, with long-term declines in breeding success reported. The research highlights the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems and the need for conservation efforts.
A £2.3million study is investigating the impact of chemical pollutants from UK coastal landfill waste on seabirds' health, reproduction and survival. The researchers will focus on European shags in the Firth of Forth, comparing their health and survival rates with birds that spend more time in the area.
Scientists found that eradicating rats from tropical islands restores critical nutrient cycles to coral reefs within 16 years. Seabird populations are increasing on islands where rats have been eradicated, boosting the health of surrounding ecosystems and improving their chances of rebounding.
A novel analysis of albatross and commercial fishing vessel encounters provides new understanding of seabird behavior and environmental conditions that influence these interactions. Researchers found that birds are more likely to engage with vessels in foraging states, and certain vessel characteristics do not impact bird-vessel intera...
Researchers used pumice from an underwater volcanic eruption to determine the cause of a mass death of migrating seabirds. The study found that birds were starving and eating non-food materials like pumice stones due to lack of food, indicating broader health issues for the marine ecosystem.
New research reveals the length, speed, and flight heights of Shelduck migration across the North Sea, showing interactions with offshore wind turbines. The study used solar-powered GPS tags to track four birds, finding that they all ended their migration in almost exactly the same place despite taking different routes.
Researchers analyzed tracking data of 5,775 birds across 39 species to estimate global political responsibility for their protection. The study found that many countries lack agreements with each other's breeding grounds, highlighting the need for international agreements to conserve these threatened seabirds.
A study reconstructs 5,800 years of seabird population dynamics on Grand Colombier Island, linking European settlement to a significant decline in the Leach's Storm petrel population. Paleoecological approaches can help determine current ecological loss and protect critical habitat.
A new study found that seabirds' arrival in the Falkland Islands 5,000 years ago transformed the ecosystem through nutrient deposition, enriching the soil and driving changes in plant community structure. The research highlights the critical link between terrestrial-marine ecosystems and emphasizes the need for long-term monitoring to ...
A study led by University of Wyoming researcher Dulcinea Groff found that seabird populations in the South Atlantic are shifting their habitats due to climate change, with many species moving to new breeding grounds. The research also highlights the importance of nutrients from seabird guano for maintaining tussac grasslands.
A 14,000-year peat record reveals an ecosystem shift after seabird establishment 5,000 years ago, driven by guano-derived nutrients. This study highlights the critical role of seabirds in terrestrial ecosystems and warns of potential consequences for their survival in a warming climate.
A 14,000-year paleoecological reconstruction found that seabird establishment led to changes in Falkland Islands ecosystems through guano deposition. This terrestrial-marine link is critical for grasslands conservation efforts, as nutrients from marine ecosystems enrich the islands' nutrient-poor soil.
A new study confirms that plastic pollution is a significant threat to seabirds in the South Pacific Ocean, with globally distributed impacts. The research found that seabirds ingest plastics from distant areas, highlighting the need for urgent solutions to this global problem.
A recent study by a URI graduate student found significant concentrations of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in seabirds from offshore areas, including Narragansett Bay, Massachusetts Bay, and Cape Fear. The research highlights the environmental persistence of these compounds, which can remain in animal tissues for many years.
A new study reveals that plastic waste can release harmful chemicals into the stomach oil of seabirds like northern fulmars, potentially affecting their health over extended periods. The research highlights the importance of reducing plastic pollution in our oceans and dealing with waste responsibly.
Seabirds produce guano that serves as a fertilizer and contributes significantly to coastal and marine ecosystems. The researchers estimated the value of guano production at around $473 million per year, with nutrients deposited by seabirds worth an additional $1 billion annually.
Thanks to a decade-long collaboration, the global population of the critically endangered Chinese crested tern has more than doubled, from fewer than 50 adults to over 100. The project used social attraction techniques to lure adult seabirds to restoration sites with suitable nesting habitat.
A new study found that albatrosses wait for stronger winds to fly again and males rely more on strong winds for take-off due to their larger size. The research tracked over 300 albatrosses and combined tracking data with computer modeling to shed light on the role of wind in flight decisions.
Researchers have found an increase in marine debris collected on beaches of Bird Island and Signy Island, with most items being plastic. Scientists also discovered that fishing vessels contribute significantly to plastic pollution, threatening seabirds and other wildlife in the region.
A 700,000-year-old fossil bone found in Japan indicates that a close relative of the modern dovekie was once thriving in the Pacific Ocean. The discovery suggests that dovekies were more abundant in Japan and the Pacific than previously thought.
A severe and long-lasting marine heat wave, known as 'the blob,' led to the largest seabird die-off in recorded history. The common murre population declined drastically due to a shortage of forage fish and increased competition from large predators.
Researchers observed two instances of puffin tool use: one on Skomer Island in 2014 and another on Grimsey Island in 2018. Puffins used wooden sticks to dislodge parasites or scratch their chests, which may have been more effective than using their beaks.