Birders’ network finds rare pelagic birds on Karnataka’s coast

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

Some 180 birdwatchers from across India were able to document rare ‘pelagic’ birds throughout 2023 just off the Karnataka coast.

About Pelagic Birds:

These are seabirds that live on open seas and oceans rather than inland or around more restricted waters such as lakes and rivers.
They can be found thousands of miles offshore but can get blown onto land during high winds and storms.
The only other time they come inland is to breed.
The most familiar types of pelagic birds include albatrosses, frigatebirds, fulmars, petrels, shearwaters, and tropicbirds.
Example: Sooty Shearwater, Brown Skua, Brown Booby, Streaked Shearwater and Masked Booby.
Features:
- They feed on planktonic crustaceans and squid and hunt fish far from the land.
- Generally, they have dense, waterproof feathers and layers of fat to keep them warm.
- They have exceptionally long and thin wings that allow them to fly effortlessly for long periods without rest.
- Many pelagic birds have special salt glands. This allows them to drink seawater and discard extra salt accidentally ingested by their oceanic prey.
- Some have webbed or partially webbed feet for swimming, plucking fish from the shallows, or executing precise, plunging dives.
- In general, seabirds live longer than other wild birds; most have an average lifespan of 50 years.
- Almost all seabirds live in colonies, migrate annually, and mate for life.