Habitat Selection and Marine Birds

Abstract

Marine birds are those species that depend on marine environments for all or part of their food (Fisher and Lockley, 1954; Lack, 1967). Lack (1968) numbers over 260 species of seabirds, belonging to four taxonomic orders (Sphenisciformes, Procellariiformes, Pelecaniformes, Charadriiformes) embracing 13 families, and including several species that breed inland, or near freshwater and that may also feed on terrestrial organisms for part of the year. Additional but primarily freshwater orders and families include grebes, loons, and ducks, that feed on marine organisms, but they will not be considered here.