Chapter 3 North Carolina Species
3.11 Pelagic Seabirds 3.11.1 Introduction
Pelagic seabirds encompass a diverse range of bird species that are highly adapted to marine life and are known for their long wingspans, efficient flying abilities, and extensive long-distance migrations (MarineBio 2025) . This group includes albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters, fulmars, and storm petrels that often breed in large colonies on remote islands and coastal cliffs (MarineBio 2025) . They spend long periods away from land and obtain all or most of their food from the sea while flying, swimming, or diving (Nettleship 1977, 1991) and come to land only to breed. In general, these species are seen primarily away from the sight of land and thus are typically seen only from boats and ships when in North Carolina offshore waters. Since 1991, the Black-capped, Herald, and Fea’s petrels have been recorded annually and photographed on numerous occasions off North Carolina’s coast (Brinkley 2012) . The Gulf Stream, a warmwater current that runs roughly parallel to the North Carolina coast, is a critical region for pelagic birds using North Carolina’s coastal waters between the months of May and October. The segment offshore from Oregon Inlet to south of Cape Hatteras is especially important due to the interplay with the southbound Labrador Current, which creates an upwelling of nutrient-rich waters. • Key pelagic species within the Gulf Stream off North Carolina’s coast include the Black- capped Petrel and other tubenoses (family Procellariidae). Cold inshore waters are a critical zone during winter. Key pelagic species associated with this region include Northern Gannet and alcids (family Alcidae). • Bermuda Petrels are endemic to Bermuda and nest on four small islets that provide less than 3.5 acres of breeding habitat in the western North Atlantic Ocean. These nesting sites are highly erodible limestone and prone to being overwashed during storms. While they nest in Bermuda, they are seen off the North Carolina coast. • Several other pelagic species have been reported to occur off the North Carolina coast primarily as they travel between breeding grounds and wintering habitats. They are not considered to be “resident” in our waters during either the warmer months or during the winter. Transient species include most jaegers and the Roseate Tern. • Several pelagic species have been identified as species of concern by the Atlantic Marine Bird Cooperative (AMBC) and ranked by level of concern based on regional, continental, and responsibility concerns (https://atlanticmarinebirds.org/resources/priority-species- list) (AMBC 2025) . Responsibility was based on the proportion of population occurring in the Northwestern Atlantic region (Maine to Florida). Two species, Roseate Tern and Black-capped Petrel, are both federally listed for protection under the ESA as endangered.
2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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