The science
Seabird Behavior
Seabirds live long lives, form lasting pairs and navigate open ocean with senses we are only beginning to understand.
Life in colonies
Most seabirds nest in colonies. Some hold a few dozen pairs. Others hold millions of birds. Colonies offer safety in numbers and a shared view of where the food is, but also crowding, competition and disease.
Courtship and pair bonds
Many seabirds pair for years, often for life. Albatrosses perform elaborate dances that pairs refine over several seasons. Gannets greet their mates with bill fencing and sky-pointing. These rituals keep pairs together across long separations at sea.
A sense of smell
Albatrosses and petrels have a strong sense of smell, unusual among birds. Some species can detect dimethyl sulfide, a compound released when plankton is grazed. It leads them to feeding areas across open ocean.
Night and sound
Many burrow-nesting petrels and shearwaters only return to their colonies at night, to avoid predatory gulls and skuas. They find their own burrow in the dark and recognize their mate by voice.
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