1. MenuPreviousNext 7 - 1 Seabirds - At Flight Over and In the Ocean Chapter 7 Pages 7-20 to 7-22

2. MenuPreviousNext 7 - 2 Characteristics of Birds Seabirds - At Flight Over and In the Ocean Chapter 7 Pages 7-20 to 7-21

3. MenuPreviousNext 7 - 3 Characteristics of Birds nBirds are vertebrates in class Aves. They share several characteristics:  Feathers, unique to this class.  Forelimbs that are wings.  A four-chambered heart and lay internally fertilized eggs. nMarine birds are important to the marine ecosystem:  They are predators that consume fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.  In turn they are prey to marine mammals and sharks.  They supply guano – a significant source of nutrients, specially organic nitrogen important to sea life. Seabirds - At Flight Over and In the Ocean Chapter 7 Pages 7-20 to 7-21

4. MenuPreviousNext 7 - 4 Characteristics of Birds nMany species of birds exhibit related adaptations to an aquatic life:  Webbed feet for swimming and floating on the surface.  Bill adaptations suited to catching their marine prey, like the pelican’s pouch.  The cormorant flies over water, and dives in it in pursuit of prey.  Birds, like the albatross, have wings and flight characteristics adapted to long-duration flying over wide expanses of water. Seabirds - At Flight Over and In the Ocean Chapter 7 Pages 7-20 to 7-21

5. MenuPreviousNext 7 - 5 Special Attributes of Penguins nPenguins, order Sphenisciformes, all live in the Southern hemisphere. nPenguins make up about 80% of all Antarctic birds and by far outnumber even the massive marine mammal populations. Emperor Penguins. Adapted to a totally marine existence. Seabirds - At Flight Over and In the Ocean Chapter 7 Page 7-21

6. MenuPreviousNext 7 - 6 Special Attributes of Penguins nPenguins, order Sphenisciformes, all live in the Southern hemisphere. nPenguins make up about 80% of all Antarctic birds and by far outnumber even the massive marine mammal populations. nNot all species live in cold places.  Penguins are found on the coasts of South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the nutrient-rich waters surrounding the Galapagos Islands near the equator, nThey cannot fly, but they’re as at home underwater as other birds are in the air. They:  Spend as much as 75% of their time under water searching for food.  Can reach depths of 100 meters (328 feet) and deeper. Seabirds - At Flight Over and In the Ocean Chapter 7 Page 7-21