Seabirds

Seabirds or marine birds are fully adapted to their coastal marine habitat and are highly diverse. In comparison with their exclusively terrestrial counterparts, they possess a longer life span and produce smaller clutch sizes within their breeding colonies, while investing intensively in nurturing their young. Many species are highly migratory and/or excellent divers including Gulls (Charadriiformes), Pelicans (Pelecaniformes), Gannets (Suliformes), Albatrosses (Procellariiformes) and Penguins (Sphenisciformes). Seabird colonies attract thousands of bird and wildlife watchers each year, contributing hugely to the popularity of marine wildlife tourism.