What is a seabird? Name ONE of the major taxa (orders) of seabird and describe the main characteristics and range of types of the seabirds within the named taxon.

Question 1

What is a seabird?

Answer 1

• The term seabird is variously used, but it is traditionally used to describe those birds that obtain their food from the sea (not wading through it as shorebirds do) but by travelling some distance over the sea.

Question 2

Name one of the major taxa of seabird

Answer 2

Charadriiformes

Question 3

Name the main features of the Charadriiformes:

Answer 3

• Worldwide (everywhere), most species in the northern hemisphere
• Mainly coastal
• Small to medium size (~25g to 2kg)
• Open nostrils
• Diverse group includes many shore birds (which often have long, thin legs and long toed feet) and a range of seabirds (which have webbed feet and relatively dense plumage)

Question 4

Outline the range of Charadriiformes:

Answer 4

See the table.