Marine Birds Class Aves. Marine Bird Characteristics What makes a seabird different from a terrestrial bird? Seabirds are those birds which spend

Marine BirdsMarine Birds

Class AvesClass Aves

Marine Bird CharacteristicsMarine Bird Characteristics What makes a seabird different from a terrestrial bird?What makes a seabird different from a terrestrial bird? Seabirds are those birds which spend a significant part Seabirds are those birds which spend a significant part

of their lives at seaof their lives at sea Differ widely in flying skills and feeding mechanisms Differ widely in flying skills and feeding mechanisms Most are predators that feed at sea Most are predators that feed at sea Nest on landNest on land

Marine Bird CharacteristicsMarine Bird Characteristics Marine birds have many advantages that allow Marine birds have many advantages that allow

them to live in a wide variety of environmentsthem to live in a wide variety of environments– Endotherms with a four-chambered heart Endotherms with a four-chambered heart – Internal fertilization and an amniotic egg that is Internal fertilization and an amniotic egg that is

more resistant to water lossmore resistant to water loss– Waterproof feathers and wings Waterproof feathers and wings – Hollow bones which aid in flightHollow bones which aid in flight

Marine Bird CharacteristicsMarine Bird Characteristics

Endotherms with a 4-Endotherms with a 4-chambered heartchambered heart– Warm-blooded Warm-blooded – This allows them to live This allows them to live

in a wide variety of in a wide variety of environmentsenvironments

– Higher metabolism Higher metabolism supplies the large supplies the large amounts of energy amounts of energy needed for active flight needed for active flight

Albatross

Blue-footed Booby

Waterproof feathersWaterproof feathers– No other organism has feathersNo other organism has feathers– Feathers are lightweight and help Feathers are lightweight and help

insulate the animal’s body, allowing it to insulate the animal’s body, allowing it to maintain a higher temperature than its maintain a higher temperature than its surroundingssurroundings

– Waterproofing is provided by oil from a Waterproofing is provided by oil from a gland above the base of the tailgland above the base of the tail

– The birds rub the oil into their feathers The birds rub the oil into their feathers with their beaks, known as preeningwith their beaks, known as preening


Wings with hollow bonesWings with hollow bones– Bird’s forelimbs have adapted into wings Bird’s forelimbs have adapted into wings

for flightfor flight– Hollow bones allow birds to fly more easilyHollow bones allow birds to fly more easily


Marine birds have internal fertilizationMarine birds have internal fertilization– They lay amniotic eggs that are more resistant They lay amniotic eggs that are more resistant

to water loss than their ancestors, the reptilesto water loss than their ancestors, the reptiles– Every species of bird has a different mating and Every species of bird has a different mating and

breeding ritual, but all birds nest on landbreeding ritual, but all birds nest on land– The parent provides extensive care until the The parent provides extensive care until the

young is grownyoung is grown


Great Egret

Special AdaptationsSpecial Adaptations

Can you think of any adaptations that Can you think of any adaptations that seabirds may have that aid them in the seabirds may have that aid them in the water?water?

Salt glands to rid extra salt from the Salt glands to rid extra salt from the bodybody – Near their nose and can ‘sneeze’ the salt outNear their nose and can ‘sneeze’ the salt out

Webbed feet for swimming and floating Webbed feet for swimming and floating on the surface.on the surface.

Specialized beaks with no teeth to hunt Specialized beaks with no teeth to hunt for preyfor prey

Salt GlandsSalt Glands Osmoregulation - “salt glands” Osmoregulation - “salt glands”

– Located above their eyes that process excess Located above their eyes that process excess saltsalt

– The glands produce a salty solution that is The glands produce a salty solution that is excreted through the birds’ nostrils and down excreted through the birds’ nostrils and down grooves of their beaks, where it drips off. grooves of their beaks, where it drips off.

http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/facilities/multimedia/uploads/testing/saltreg.swf

Feet AdaptationsFeet Adaptations

There are several lengths of legs and There are several lengths of legs and types of feet found on sea birdstypes of feet found on sea birds– Birds that spend most of their time at Birds that spend most of their time at

sea have short, stocky legs and partially sea have short, stocky legs and partially webbed feetwebbed feetShort legs work as oars and the webbed feet Short legs work as oars and the webbed feet

work as a paddlework as a paddle

– Birds that spend most of their time at Birds that spend most of their time at the intertidal zone have long, thin legs the intertidal zone have long, thin legs and webbed feet for swimmingand webbed feet for swimming

Beak AdaptationsBeak Adaptations What do you think marine birds What do you think marine birds

eat?eat? How do you think they obtain How do you think they obtain

their food?their food? Shape of the beak gives clues Shape of the beak gives clues

to the kind of food the bird eatsto the kind of food the bird eats– Curved projections at the tips help Curved projections at the tips help

predatory birdspredatory birds– Different lengths and curvatures of Different lengths and curvatures of

bills determines which prey can be bills determines which prey can be reached by probing in the sand.reached by probing in the sand.

– Pelicans, cormorants and frigate Pelicans, cormorants and frigate birds have a distensible pouch to birds have a distensible pouch to capture fishcapture fish

PelicansPelicans– dive and scoop fish up in their pouched bills and dive and scoop fish up in their pouched bills and

drain the water before swallowing their catchdrain the water before swallowing their catch Cormorants Cormorants

– pursue fish under water, seizing their prey with pursue fish under water, seizing their prey with their hooked beakstheir hooked beaks

Flamingos Flamingos – filter small organisms out of the waterfilter small organisms out of the water

Long billed, long legged birds Long billed, long legged birds – wade in shallow water using their bills to probe in wade in shallow water using their bills to probe in

the mud or sand to pluck prey outthe mud or sand to pluck prey out Penguins Penguins

– dive to great depths get their mealsdive to great depths get their meals Terns and gulls Terns and gulls

– soar over the water and catch fish soar over the water and catch fish at the surfaceat the surface

Beak AdaptationsBeak Adaptations

Beak Description ActivityBeak Description Activity

ShorebirdsShorebirds1. This beak is extra long 1. This beak is extra long

allowing the bird to allowing the bird to probe for deep lying probe for deep lying preyprey

Godwits

ShorebirdsShorebirds

2. This relatively short and 2. This relatively short and stalky beak allows the bird stalky beak allows the bird to probe for shallow lying to probe for shallow lying preyprey


Terns

ShorebirdsShorebirds3. This beak is medium 3. This beak is medium

in length, allowing in length, allowing the bird to probe for the bird to probe for medium depth preymedium depth prey

4. This beak has 4. This beak has lamellae, which filters lamellae, which filters the water for small the water for small particles like bacteria particles like bacteria and planktonand plankton


Sandpiper

Flamingo

Open Water FeedersOpen Water Feeders5. This straight, narrow beak 5. This straight, narrow beak

is used for capturing prey is used for capturing prey that is swallowed whole.that is swallowed whole.

Beak Description ActivityBeak Description ActivityMurre

Cormorant

Open Water FeedersOpen Water Feeders

6. This short, heavy hooked 6. This short, heavy hooked beak is ideal for holding beak is ideal for holding and tearing prey too large and tearing prey too large to be swallowed whole. to be swallowed whole. This beak is best for This beak is best for shallow feeding because shallow feeding because its shape and size its shape and size interfere with fast interfere with fast underwater pursuit.underwater pursuit.


Gull

Open Water Feeders Open Water Feeders 7. This beak is heavy and 7. This beak is heavy and

streamlined, which makes streamlined, which makes it good for deep diving. it good for deep diving. The heavy structure The heavy structure allows the bird to feed on allows the bird to feed on tougher, crunchier prey.tougher, crunchier prey.


Puffin

Open Water Feeders Open Water Feeders

8. This beak has a longer lower mandible, which 8. This beak has a longer lower mandible, which allows the bird to feed while flying. The beak allows the bird to feed while flying. The beak ‘skims’ the surface of the water for prey.‘skims’ the surface of the water for prey.

Pelican

Skimmers


Importance to Marine EcosystemImportance to Marine Ecosystem Can you explain the Can you explain the

importance of seabirds?importance of seabirds?– Many scientists consider birds Many scientists consider birds

indicators of a marine indicators of a marine ecosystem’s richness and ecosystem’s richness and health.health.

– The more types and quantities The more types and quantities of birds, the greater the of birds, the greater the richness and health. richness and health.

– They are predators that They are predators that consume fish, crustaceans, consume fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.and mollusks.

– In turn they are prey to In turn they are prey to marine mammals and sharks.marine mammals and sharks.

– They supply guano – a They supply guano – a significant source of nutrients, significant source of nutrients, specially organic nitrogen specially organic nitrogen important to sea life.important to sea life.

Importance to the EcosystemImportance to the Ecosystem

They’re predators that consume fish, They’re predators that consume fish, crustaceans, and molluskscrustaceans, and mollusks

They are prey to marine mammals They are prey to marine mammals and sharksand sharks

Seabirds supply guano (droppings)– Seabirds supply guano (droppings)– a significant source of nutrients, a significant source of nutrients, especially organic Nitrogenespecially organic Nitrogen

Diversity of Marine BirdsDiversity of Marine Birds

What kind of marine birds do you What kind of marine birds do you know? know?

List as many seabirds and their List as many seabirds and their adaptations that you can think of on adaptations that you can think of on your paperyour paper

Wood Stork

Shorebirds or WadersShorebirds or Waders Have long, legs and thin, sharp bills that they use to feed in Have long, legs and thin, sharp bills that they use to feed in

the intertidal zonethe intertidal zone Oystercatchers – long, blunt orange bills that are vertically Oystercatchers – long, blunt orange bills that are vertically

flattened. They feed on partially opened clams, mussels flattened. They feed on partially opened clams, mussels and oysters as wells as other organisms in the sandand oysters as wells as other organisms in the sand

Sandpipers – scurry across the sand as the surf and tide Sandpipers – scurry across the sand as the surf and tide retreats feeding on small crustaceans and mollusks. Some retreats feeding on small crustaceans and mollusks. Some make annual migrations close to 6000 miles.make annual migrations close to 6000 miles.

Herons – most widespread family of wading birds. Their Herons – most widespread family of wading birds. Their skinny legs and long necks aid in hunting. They hunt small skinny legs and long necks aid in hunting. They hunt small fish and crustaceans in shallow water by standing still and fish and crustaceans in shallow water by standing still and waiting for their prey to come into range.waiting for their prey to come into range.

GullsGulls Gulls are noisy, aggressive birds that are efficient Gulls are noisy, aggressive birds that are efficient

predators and scavengers. predators and scavengers. They eat the eggs and young of other birds, steal prey They eat the eggs and young of other birds, steal prey

from other birds and occasionally eat the young of from other birds and occasionally eat the young of other gulls. other gulls.

They are not picky eatersThey are not picky eaters They have a worldwide distribution and are found They have a worldwide distribution and are found

everywhere the land and ocean meeteverywhere the land and ocean meet Have webbed feet but do not usually stray far from Have webbed feet but do not usually stray far from

landland Usually travel in large groups and can be seen Usually travel in large groups and can be seen

following fishing boatsfollowing fishing boats

Black-backed gull

Laughing Gull

Skimmers or ScissorbillsSkimmers or Scissorbills

They fish along the coast by flying along with their They fish along the coast by flying along with their lower bill just beneath the surfacelower bill just beneath the surface

They have two unusual features They have two unusual features – Pupils that are vertical slits Pupils that are vertical slits – Lower jaw that is flexible and protrudes much Lower jaw that is flexible and protrudes much

farther than the upper billfarther than the upper bill

Black Skimmer

Auks, Puffins and MurresAuks, Puffins and Murres These birds are awkward on landThese birds are awkward on land In the water, they are remarkably agile, using their In the water, they are remarkably agile, using their

swimming wings to fly through the water swimming wings to fly through the water They prey on fish, squid and shrimpThey prey on fish, squid and shrimp The Great Auk is extinct The Great Auk is extinct They spend their winters in offshore waters and then They spend their winters in offshore waters and then

gather in dense, noisy colonies in the cliffs along the gather in dense, noisy colonies in the cliffs along the Northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans in early spring.Northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans in early spring.

Thick-billed Murre

PelicansPelicans Most are found in coastal areas Most are found in coastal areas Pelicans feed just under the Pelicans feed just under the

surface of the water, using their surface of the water, using their large gular pouches as nets. large gular pouches as nets.

They usually patrol about 30 feet They usually patrol about 30 feet above the water and when they above the water and when they see a school of fish, it folds its see a school of fish, it folds its wings back and then crashes into wings back and then crashes into the water scooping up large the water scooping up large numbers of fishnumbers of fish

It must then let the water drain It must then let the water drain from its pouch before it can from its pouch before it can become airborne again.become airborne again.

Have webs between all four toes Have webs between all four toes

CormorantsCormorants Some of the most adept avian fishersSome of the most adept avian fishers Lack oil glands to waterproof their Lack oil glands to waterproof their

feathers, so they must dry their wings on feathers, so they must dry their wings on landland

Swimming along the surface, they scan Swimming along the surface, they scan the water for fish and then plunge to the water for fish and then plunge to spectacular depths in pursuit of their preyspectacular depths in pursuit of their prey

They are very strong swimmers, using They are very strong swimmers, using their webbed feet for propulsion and their webbed feet for propulsion and keeping their wings folded close to its keeping their wings folded close to its sides to be more streamlinedsides to be more streamlined

Cormorant FishingCormorant Fishing

TubenosesTubenoses Petrels, albatrosses and shearwatersPetrels, albatrosses and shearwaters Have a distinctive nose that may function in detecting Have a distinctive nose that may function in detecting

odors and eliminating excess saltsodors and eliminating excess salts Albatrosses Albatrosses

– Suburb gliders with wings nearly 11 feet long, the Suburb gliders with wings nearly 11 feet long, the largest of any birdlargest of any bird

– Capable of cruising the currents of turbulent ocean Capable of cruising the currents of turbulent ocean air for hours at a time with barely the flick of a wingair for hours at a time with barely the flick of a wing

– Come to land only to breed and can spend up to Come to land only to breed and can spend up to two years at sea before returning to breedtwo years at sea before returning to breed

Greater ShearwaterAlbatross

PenguinsPenguins Most highly adapted birds to life in the seaMost highly adapted birds to life in the sea They are flightless They are flightless Their bones are heavier than those of other birds to Their bones are heavier than those of other birds to

reduce buoyancy.reduce buoyancy. On land, penguins are somewhat awkward.On land, penguins are somewhat awkward. They move by hopping, waddling, or tobogganing on They move by hopping, waddling, or tobogganing on

their bellies with their flipper-like wingstheir bellies with their flipper-like wings

Chinstrap Penguin

PenguinsPenguins

Order SphenisciformesOrder Sphenisciformes Only found in southern hemisphereOnly found in southern hemisphere Cannot flyCannot fly Spend as much as 75% of their time Spend as much as 75% of their time

under waterunder water

PenguinsPenguins In the sea, they are as swift In the sea, they are as swift

and agile and agile They can swim at speeds of 15 They can swim at speeds of 15

miles per hour for long miles per hour for long distances and speeds twice distances and speeds twice that if pursuing preythat if pursuing prey

Their torpedo-shaped bodies Their torpedo-shaped bodies are streamlined to offer less are streamlined to offer less resistance in the waterresistance in the water

Their flat, webbed feet are Their flat, webbed feet are used for steeringused for steering

They feed on fish, squid, and They feed on fish, squid, and krill that are under the waterkrill that are under the water

They are preyed upon by They are preyed upon by leopard seals and killer whalesleopard seals and killer whales

King Penguins

Adelie Penguins

PenguinsPenguins All but one of the species live in Antarctica and other All but one of the species live in Antarctica and other

cold regions of the southern hemisphere cold regions of the southern hemisphere The exception is the Galapagos penguin, which lives The exception is the Galapagos penguin, which lives

on the equatoron the equator– It can survive this region because of the cold, food-It can survive this region because of the cold, food-

rich waters rich waters Protection against low temperatures is provided by a Protection against low temperatures is provided by a

layer of fat under the skin and cold air is trapped by layer of fat under the skin and cold air is trapped by the dense, waterproof feathers – acting like a down the dense, waterproof feathers – acting like a down coat.coat.

Jackass PenguinsGalapagos Penguin

Macroni Penguin

PenguinsPenguins Breeding rituals vary from species to speciesBreeding rituals vary from species to species

– Emperor penguins form life-long pairsEmperor penguins form life-long pairs– The male incubates a single large egg during The male incubates a single large egg during

Antarctic winterAntarctic winter– The female leaves to feed as soon as she lays the The female leaves to feed as soon as she lays the

egg.egg.– The male must keep the egg warm by holding it The male must keep the egg warm by holding it

between his feet and against his body for 64 days between his feet and against his body for 64 days of dreadful winter cold.of dreadful winter cold.

Adelie Penguins

Emperor Penguins

PenguinsPenguins– Reproduction is timed so that the egg hatches Reproduction is timed so that the egg hatches

during the productive Antarctic summer, when food during the productive Antarctic summer, when food is most plentifulis most plentiful

– The parents take turns feeding the chickThe parents take turns feeding the chick– Returning parents identify their chick among Returning parents identify their chick among

thousands by its voice and appearance.thousands by its voice and appearance.

Rockhopper Penguin Rookery

Emperor Penguin Chick

Documents

Marine Birds Class Aves. Marine Bird Characteristics What makes a seabird different from a terrestrial bird? Seabirds are those birds which spend