Seabirds

Abstract

[Extract] Seabirds are highly visible, charismatic predators in marine ecosystems that feed primarily or exclusively at sea. They have a range of relatively unique life-history characteristics associated with this predominantly marine lifestyle. Many of these characteristics are directly linked with having to forage over large distances to obtain sufficient food to breed.

In general, seabirds are long-lived species that have deferred sexual maturity, small clutch sizes, slow chick growth rates and extended fledgling periods. For example, crested terns may live 18-20 years, sooty terns up to 32 years and larger species such as boobies and frigate birds even longer. Most seabird species do not become sexually mature or return to breed for between 5 to 12 years after fledging and the nestling period for some species, such as frigate birds, can be up to six months long.