Procellariidae

Procellariidae is a large and diverse family of seabirds that includes petrels, shearwaters, and fulmars. These birds are characterized by their long wings, tubular nostrils, and a strong sense of smell. They are found throughout the world's oceans, with the highest diversity in the Southern Hemisphere.

Characteristics

Members of the Procellariidae family are medium to large birds, with body lengths ranging from 25 cm to 1 m. They have long, narrow wings and a hooked bill with tubular nostrils on top. This unique nostril structure aids in their exceptional sense of smell, which they use to locate food and navigate over the open ocean.

Procellariidae birds are excellent flyers, capable of soaring for long distances over the sea. They feed on a diet of plankton, fish, and squid, which they catch from the water's surface or by diving.

Distribution and habitat

Procellariidae are truly oceanic birds, spending the majority of their lives at sea. They are found in all of the world's oceans, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. The greatest diversity of species is found in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly around New Zealand and the Antarctic.

These birds only come to land to breed, nesting in colonies on remote islands. Many species return to the same nesting site each year, often traveling thousands of kilometers across the ocean to do so.

Conservation

Many species of Procellariidae are threatened by human activities. Longline fishing poses a significant threat, as the birds are often caught and drowned on the hooks. Invasive species introduced to their breeding islands, such as rats and cats, also pose a major threat by preying on eggs and chicks.

Conservation efforts for Procellariidae include measures to reduce bycatch in fisheries, eradication of invasive species from breeding islands, and the establishment of protected areas.

See also

• List of Procellariidae species
• Seabird conservation