Seabirds are birds that spend some part of their lives living on and feeding in the sea. They include petrels, albatrosses, shearwaters, penguins, gannets, boobies, tropicbirds, frigatebirds, shags (or cormorants), auks, skuas, gulls, terns and noddies.
While a diverse group from different orders and families, they share some characteristics besides their habitat. Here are some things that seabird species have in common.
Seabird capital of the world
Aotearoa New Zealand has the greatest number of resident seabird species, including many that are endemic. In addition, a third of all seabird species regularly visit our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during their non-breeding periods.
Long-lived
Despite a wide range of sizes and lifestyles, seabirds are generally slow to mature and breed, and long-lived. This can mean they struggle to adapt to changing environmental conditions compared to shorter-lived species that breed more frequently.
Colonies
Many seabirds are colonial, with a large number of species aggregating in loose or dense breeding colonies, where they find protection from predators through sheer numbers.
Good parents
Seabirds typically invest more time and effort into raising their young than land birds. Laying fewer eggs (sometimes one a year or even every two years) and taking care of them for longer. Both parents participate in caring for the young.
Strong bonds
Most seabirds mate monogamously, often staying together for multiple breeding seasons and in some cases for life. Divorce among seabird couples is not common, but does happen and is much more likely if they loses an egg or young chick.