Seabirds Species

Seabirds are as much a part of the expedition and small-ship adventure experience as the ocean itself because there is no better way to view them in their natural habitats and at sea than from a ship deck or Zodiac. 

Seabirds have various feeding strategies, including surface seizing, diving, and scavenging. They feed on fish, squid, and plankton. This is a highlight of observation from the deck. They also mainly nest on remote islands or cliffs, often in large colonies. Some, like the albatross, have complex courtship behaviours and long breeding cycles. Expedition ships can usually navigate very close to these colonies, enabling excellent viewing opportunities from the deck. In addition to this, Zodiac cruises will often be able to land to get passengers ashore for closer study. 

Seabirds are an integral part of the ecosystem, but they face numerous threats, including habitat loss, climate change, overfishing, and pollution (especially plastic pollution). Many species are now subjects of conservation efforts to protect their habitats and food sources. One of the reasons ExplorEarth is delighted to support Ocean Generation. 

Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

Arctic Tern Mike Unwin

Arctic Terns

The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a small, elegant seabird known for its remarkable long-distance migration, which is the longest of any bird species. It migrates between the Arctic and Antarctic, covering around 43,500 miles annually.


Mark Stratton

Mark Stratton

Falklands Black Browed Albatross Close Up 495

Black Browed Albatrosses

The black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) is a striking seabird known for its extensive range, elegant flight, and distinctive markings. These birds are widely distributed across the Southern Ocean and breed on sub-Antarctic islands, including the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and islands off the coast of Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of these majestic seabirds in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.


Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

Kittiwake 4 black legged kittiwake

Black-legged Kittiwake

The Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) is a small to medium-sized gull known for its distinctive features and oceanic lifestyle. This seabird is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in the North Atlantic and North Pacific regions.


Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

Imperial Cormorant blue eyed shag

Blue-eyed Shag

The Imperial Cormorant (Leucocarbo atriceps), also known as the Blue-eyed Shag, is a striking seabird native to the coastal regions of southern South America, including the Falkland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula.


iStock Adrian Wojcik

iStock Adrian Wojcik

Istock 510168512 Blue Footed Booby Galapagos Adrian Wojcik 1074

Blue-footed Booby

The Blue-footed Booby (Sula nebouxii) is a seabird famous for its striking blue feet and quirky behaviour particularly its courtship dance.


Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

Brown Skua 5

Brown Skuas

The brown skua (Stercorarius antarcticus) is a large seabird known for its aggressive behaviour, especially during nesting season.


Mark Stratton

Mark Stratton

Drake's Passage Cape Petrel Mark Stratton

Cape Petrel

The Cape petrel (Daption capense), also known as the pintado petrel or Cape pigeon, is a strikingly patterned seabird found primarily in the Southern Ocean. These birds are known for their distinctive black and white "piebald" coloration, which resembles that of a giant checkerboard or painted pattern, hence the name "pintado," which means "painted" in Spanish.


Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

Fulmar 3 Svalbard Mike Unwin 290

Fulmars

Fulmars are seabirds belonging to the family Procellariidae, closely related to petrels and albatrosses. They are widespread and can be found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans. There are two main species, Northern and Southern Fulmars.


Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

Glaucous Gull

Glaucous Gull

The Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus) is one of the largest gull species and is well known for its pale, almost ghostly appearance. This bird is native to the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions but can be found in coastal areas across the Northern Hemisphere during migration.


Mark Stratton

Mark Stratton

Grey Headed Albatross At Sea

Grey-headed Albatross

The Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) is a large seabird known for its impressive wingspan and graceful flight over the Southern Ocean.


5C2A8518 Humboldt Penguins And Guanay Cormorants In Punta Sam Juan Peru. The Humboldts Nest In The Guano 838

Guanay cormorant

The Guanay cormorant (Leucocarbo bougainvillii), also known as the Guanay shag, is a seabird native to the coastal regions of South America.


Istock.com/Liz Leyden

Istock.com/Liz Leyden

Rb 283 Istock.com/Liz Leyden Guillemots, UK

Guillemots

There are two main species of Guillemots: the Common Guillemot (Uria aalge), also known as the Common Murre in North America, and the Brünnich's Guillemot (Uria lomvia), known as the Thick-billed Murre in North America. They are fascinating seabirds with impressive diving abilities and a solid colonial lifestyle, making them an essential part of marine ecosystems. Their ability to thrive in harsh coastal environments is a testament to their adaptability and resilience.


Mark Stratton

Mark Stratton

Drake's Light Mantled Albatross Giant Petrel Mark Stratton

Light-mantled Albatross

The Light-mantled albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata), also known as the Light-mantled sooty albatross, is a graceful and striking seabird found primarily in the Southern Ocean. It is one of the smaller species of albatross but is renowned for its elegant flight and distinctive colouration.


Istock.com/Hstiver

Istock.com/Hstiver

Istock Hstiver 494940192 Manx Shearwater 780

Manx Shearwater

The Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) is a medium-sized seabird known for its remarkable migratory journeys and distinctive appearance.


Jamie Lafferty

Jamie Lafferty

Gannet by Jamie Lafferty on Grassholm

Northern Gannets

The Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus) is a large seabird known for its impressive diving abilities and striking appearance. They are among the most spectacular seabirds to observe, especially during their dramatic diving displays. They play an essential role in marine ecosystems as predators of fish and other aquatic organisms.


Miranda Krestovnikoff

Miranda Krestovnikoff

Puffin by Miranda Krestovnikoff

Puffins

Puffins belong to the family Alcidae, known for their colourful beaks and striking appearance. There are three species of puffins: the Atlantic Puffin, the Horned Puffin, and the Tufted Puffin. Often referred to as "clowns of the sea", they are a beloved subject for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts worldwide.


Jamie Lafferty

Jamie Lafferty

Rb 282 Jamie Lafferty Razorbill UK

Razorbills

Razorbills (Alca torda) belong to the family Alcidae, known for their black-and-white plumage and distinctive thick, black beaks. They are found in the North Atlantic, breeding along the coasts of the northern United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. During winter, they migrate south to the North Atlantic, sometimes as far as the waters off New England and the Iberian Peninsula.


Mike Unwin

Mike Unwin

South American Tern 6

South American Terns

The South American tern (Sterna hirundinacea) is a slender and graceful seabird found along the coasts of South America, particularly in Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands. This species is known for its elegant flight and distinctive appearance.


South Georgia Giant Petrel 4 521

Southern Giant Petrels

The southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) is a large seabird native to the Southern Ocean. Here are some key details about this species. They are among the largest of the petrel family and have two colour morphs: dark and light. They have a distinctive, strong, hooked bill and tube-shaped nostrils on the top of the bill.



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