The year 2023 unfolded as a delightful chapter in the world of bird enthusiasts who could document the rare and intriguing ‘pelagic’ birds along the Karnataka coast, India. Beyond these marine species, the region has also started gathering attention towards its land-based avian diversity, largely thanks to the New Mangalore Port (NMP) which is evolving into an eco-friendly port.
About Pelagic Birds
Pelagic birds are a unique group of avian species that spend most of their life on the open ocean. Some of these birds have been found thousands of miles offshore, only to be brought to land during strong winds or storms. The only other purpose for their occasional inland visits is breeding.
These birds exhibit a wide range of physical features that differ greatly from each other. However, some common traits include their natural habitat being open water, their exceptional swimming abilities, and their hunting method, which predominantly involves diving for food. Additionally, pelagic birds have uniquely long and slender wings – a feature that enables prolonged flights without resting. Quite fascinatingly, some of them can remain airborne for weeks, even managing to sleep while on the flight.
Nautical Adaptations of Pelagic Birds
Among other remarkable attributes, pelagic birds possess a special salt gland that helps to extract salt from seawater. This feature plays a vital role in preventing salt accumulation within their body to toxic levels. When it comes to their diet, they feed on planktonic crustaceans (which are closely related to shrimp and crabs), along with squid and fish.
Examples of Pelagic Birds
A number of species fall under the category of pelagic birds, one of the most famous being the Laysan Albatross. This bird is known to breed almost exclusively on the Hawaiian islands, while it migrates across the Pacific to feed on its nutrient-enriched waters. Other species that make up the list of pelagic birds include the Sooty Shearwater, Brown Skua, Brown Booby, Streaked Shearwater and Masked Booby, Pomarine Skua, Arctic skua, Long-tailed skua, Swinhoes storm-petrel, Wilson’s storm-petrel, among other sea wanderers.
Threats to Pelagic Birds
Despite residing in the remote open oceans, human activities have still found ways to pose threats to these birds. Seabirds around the globe are facing significant challenges, with issues stemming both from the terrestrial nesting grounds and oceanic factors. Oil spills, changes in prey availability due to climate change, and fishing nets are some of the contributing factors to their problems. The reduction in pelagic bird density is primarily attributed to a decline in fish populations, which could be influenced by factors such as seawater rains pushing fish to deeper waters. Plastic pollution is another major concern for pelagic birds, as plastic persists in oceans and breaks down into smaller pieces. Birds often mistake these plastic fragments for their prey, leading to ingestion and associated health risks.
