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Sea Birdsof the Pacific NW

Marine Biology

Prepared by Diana Wheat - LBCC

Seabirds

• Birds that dwell a significant part of their

life using the resources from the sea.

• Usually nest on islands or near the shore.

• Special adaptations for high energy

environments.

- Flight in potentially high winds

- Many can float or dive

- May nest seasonally on cliff faces.

- Often fast moving to avoid predators.

- Homeothermic/Endothermic

Western GullLarus occidentalis

Most common seabird

Often near human habitations e.g. piers

Often fly inland

Traits

- Distinctive red dot on bill

- White head

- Dark gray back

- Pink legs

- White bands on dark tail

- Juvenile mottled gray, Takes over 2 yrs to dev adult plumage

1)https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Larus_occidentalis_(Western_Gull),_Point_Lobos,_CA,_US_-

_May_2013.jpg2) https://pixabay.com/en/herring-gull-gulls-larus-

argentatus-2166709/

Double Crested CormorantPhalacrocorax auritus

Most common diving bird.

Float low on water surface

After fishing they spread wings to dry.

Traits

- Large, dark plumage

- Long hooked bill

- Orange/yellow skin patch around base of bill & chin

- Often seen in groups

- Long, outstretched necks

- Nests made of sticks, bones and feathers.

1)https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Phalacrocorax-auritus-007.jpg

2)https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3380/3664802740_e7a52f3599_b.jpg – Brandt’s Cormorant

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Brown PelicanPelecanus occidentalis

Large bird found along beaches and near estuaries.

Often in flocks.

Forage for fish over the ocean just offshore. Dives!

Spring & Summer only (OR)

Traits

- Brown plumage

- Massive bill /gular pouch

- White stripes on upper wing, seen if diving.

- Long wingspan 84”1) https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/pelicans-and-

cormorants

2) https://www.flickr.com/photos/livenature/12079540953

Juvenile

Common MurreUria aalge

Gregarious/form colonies

Nest on ledges of islands.

Cliff dwellers

Traits

- Large upright standing

- Long, slender, pointed bill

- Dark sooty gray head & back.

- Vivid white chest & belly

- Eggs are pear shaped/blue

1)https://www.flickr.com/photos/sussexbirder/13667782473/2) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Murre/sounds

Sounds from a colony

Black OystercatcherHaematopus bachmani

Commonly found on intertidal shorelines.

Feed on many invertz, especially limpets and mussels, but rarely oysters.

Only on W. coast � Alaska

Walks with unusual gait.

Traits

- Nearly entirely black.

- Long, thin pink legs.

- Vivid red-orange beak

-Red eye ring around yellow eye.

https://www.egret.org/node/1417

Photo by Richard Drechsler

Cassin’s AukletPtychoramphus aleuticus

Rarely seen – pelagic

Colonies - offshore islands.

May wash up onto shore.

Fly during dark hours.

Diving birds, feed on krill

Nest in crevices or burrows

Traits

- Small, plump & gray

- Bill short & stout (gray)

- Pale eyes, crescents above & below eye.

- Countershading

1)http://www.birdphotography.com/species/caau.htmlPeter LaTourrette

2)https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/01/150123-seabirds-mass-die-off-auklet-california-animals-environment/

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Semipalmated PloverCharadrius semipalmatus

Found along the beach.*

Seen from afar, have a behavior of run-stop-scan movement

Hunting for surface invertz.

Traits

Small shorebird ~7”

Brown & black wings.

Distinctive dark breast band

Short orange & black bill

Long skinny legs (orange)1) https://pixnio.com2) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snowy_Plover

_(Charadrius_nivosus)_(6326191981).jpg

* Also found in

mudflats & salt

marshes

Prefers sand dunes

Sooty ShearwaterPuffinus griseus

Perhaps the most common seabird in OR.

Form huge flocks.

Glide along the waves.

Seen mostly by fisherman or boaters just off coast.

Traits

Dark/sooty plumage

Fast wingbeats followed by short glides.

Whitish under wings

Hooked bill 1)

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Common loonGavia immer

Seen in bays and lakes near shore.

Famous for its call.

Large, floating/diving bird.

Cumbersome on land.

Traits:

Large

Robust neck

B&W speckled plumage

Complex coloration, bands

Red eye

1) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gavia_immer_-Minocqua,_Wisconsin,_USA_-swimming-8.jpg

2) https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Loon

Breeding plumage,

more brown off season.

Sound of a Loon

Rarely Seen

but noteworthy birds

Tufted Puffin Marbeled Murrelet

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Threats to Seabirds

�Habitat loss – conversion to development.

�Increased recreational use of beaches e.g.

ATVs and human encroachment.

�Disruption of food chain, warming seas &

overharvesting of food sources.

�Disturbance e.g. dogs chasing them,

boating close to colonies, fireworks*

�Pollution – in particular plastics/fishing line

To learn more……

• Consider watching nature films.

• Be open to learning more.

• When you visit the coast:

- Take time to stroll

- Consider workshops/Audubon mtgs.

- Book a pelagic tour – ecotourism.

- Share your enthusiasm with others.

Credits

Background Template - Attribution

Presentation Magazine website www.presentationmagazine.com

Seabirds of the Pacific Northwest

USFWS Brochure

Websites:

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife

https://myodfw.com/wildlife-viewing/species/loons-and-grebes

Siletz Bay – National Wildlife Refuge Website, USFWS.https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Siletz_Bay/wildlife_and_habitat/shorebirds.html

Field Guide to Birds of North America – National Geographic 4th edition