Seabirds

Characteristics of Birds Most __________________ __________________– have to eat a lot to maintain __________________ Eat fish, squid, invertebrates, plankton Waterproof __________________help conserve heat Oil gland at base of __________________ __________________bones – lighter weight Eggs have hard shells that are more resistant to __________________than those of reptiles

What is a Seabird? Birds that spend a significant part of life at sea and rely on ocean for __________________ Nest on __________________ Most breed in large __________________ Mate for life and take care of ________________ True seabirds have __________________feet Examples: Penguins, tubenoses, pelicans, cormorants, frigate birds, gulls Only 3% of all birds are considered __________________

Penguins Flightless birds with wings modified into “__________________” that allow them to “fly” underwater Bones are denser to reduce __________________ Spectacular __________________ __________________bodies Powerful flippers for forward movement Can jump out of __________________ 18 species

Penguins on Land On land – __________________and clumsy __________________due to short legs Eyes are adapted for __________________vision Can’t see well on __________________

Penguins and Cold Temps Adapted for cold __________________ Live primarily in the __________________and other cold regions Exception = __________________penguin Layer of fat (__________________) for warmth Dense, __________________feathers trap air – helps maintain __________________

Penguin Feeding Larger penguins hunt for fish and __________________ Smaller penguins feed mostly on __________________ Some species __________________seasonally between feeding grounds at sea and __________________ areas on land or ice

Emperor Penguin Breeding Most mate for __________________ __________________incubates a single large egg during the dark Antarctic winter, while the female leaves to __________________as soon as she lays the egg Male must keep the egg warm by holding it on top of his __________________against his body for __________________ Males __________________together to protect themselves from the cold and the winter __________________

Emperor Penguin Breeding Reproduction is timed so that the eggs hatch during the __________________time of year Food is most __________________ When egg hatches, female returns to feed the chick (__________________) Parents take turn feeding the chick Young are “__________________” if parents need to feed at the same time Chicks are identified by voice and __________________ Parents feed chick for 5 ½ months, until chick is strong enough to feed by itself at ________________

Tubenoses Distinctive tube-like __________________and heavy beaks that are usually curved at the tips Have __________________to get rid of excess salts Skillful fliers – feed by catching fish at __________________ Mate for __________________ – elaborate courtship Nest on remote islands and cliffs Protection from __________________ One chick is born at a time and is taken care of for approx. __________________ Includes albatross, shearwater, and petrels

Albatross Some species of albatross can have a wingspan up to 11 feet, the longest of any bird.

Shearwaters

Petrels

Pelicans and Related Birds __________________ between all 4 toes __________________ eaters Widely distributed Nest in large __________________ along coast Build __________________ from twigs and anything else they can find

Pelicans Have a unique __________________ below their large beaks Some feed by plunging into the water and catching __________________ in the pouch

Cormorants Black, long-necked seabirds that dive and __________________ their prey Fly low over water Float low in the water – only neck and head stay above __________________

Frigate Birds __________________ wings Long, forked tail Soar along the coast Force other seabirds to __________________ fish in midair or catch prey from surface Seldom enter water – feathers are not __________________

Gulls and Relatives Largest variety of __________________ Common and widespread Typically congregate near humans – eat leftovers/trash Predators and __________________– eat anything Jaegers and skuas Predators that steal ______________from other birds Nest near penguin and other seabird breeding grounds – eat __________________ and __________________

Sea Gulls

Skuas Jaegers

Gulls and Relatives Terns Graceful __________________ that hover over prey before plunging into the water to catch it Slender beaks – specialized to catch small fish, which are swallowed __________________

Gulls and Relatives __________________– have beaks similar to parrots __________________– use wings to swim like penguins

Shorebirds Species of __________________ birds that do not have __________________ feet Not really considered seabirds because they don’t __________________ Feed on __________________ organisms Some live inland, some in __________________ and marshes, others lives at __________________ Includes plovers, sandpipers, rails, coots, herons, egrets, and ducks

Sandpipers Plover Rails Coots

Herons Egrets