Maine is home to a variety of seabirds that can be found along its coastline and offshore islands. These birds play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystem and are important indicators of the overall health of the ocean. Some of the most common seabirds found in Maine include the Arctic Tern, Black Guillemot, Atlantic Puffin, Northern Gannet, Double-Crested Cormorant, Osprey, Bald Eagle, Herring Gull, Great Black-Backed Gull, Razorbill, Black-Legged Kittiwake, and the Murre. These birds come to Maine to breed and feed, providing critical habitats for other marine species and serving as important food sources for predators. The stunning beauty and important ecological role of these birds make them an essential part of Maine's coastal landscape and an important part of the state's natural heritage.
Common Tern
The Common Tern is a seabird species native to the coastal regions of Maine. This bird is a medium-sized tern, with a wingspan of approximately 30-34 cm (12-13 in) and a length of 38-41 cm (15-16 in). They have a distinctive appearance, with a sharp, hooked bill, a forked tail, and a distinctive black cap on the head.
In the summer, Common Terns can be found along the coast of Maine, where they breed and raise their young. They typically nest on sandy or rocky beaches, or on offshore islands. During the breeding season, they feed primarily on small fish, which they catch by diving into the water from the air.
Common Terns are migratory birds, and they spend the winter months in South America. They are highly social birds, and they form large colonies during the breeding season. They are also highly vocal, and their calls and songs can be heard in their breeding colonies.
Arctic Tern
The Arctic Tern is a species of seabird native to the coastal regions of Maine. It is a migratory bird, with one of the longest migrations of any animal, traveling from its Arctic breeding grounds to its wintering grounds in the Antarctic each year.
The Arctic Tern has a distinctive appearance, with a slender, pointed bill, a forked tail, and a black cap on its head. It is a medium-sized tern, with a wingspan of approximately 34-36 cm (13-14 in) and a length of 33-38 cm (13-15 in).
In the summer, Arctic Terns can be found along the coast of Maine, where they breed and raise their young. They typically nest on rocky cliffs, offshore islands, or sandy beaches. During the breeding season, they feed on small fish, which they catch by diving into the water from the air.
The Arctic Tern is a highly social bird, and it forms large colonies during the breeding season. It is also a highly vocal species, and its calls and songs can be heard in its breeding colonies.
Black Guillemot
The Black Guillemot is a species of seabird native to the coastal regions of Maine. It is a medium-sized bird, known for its distinctive appearance and behavior.
The Black Guillemot has a black plumage with a white patch on the face and a bright red bill and feet. It is a strong swimmer and diver, and it feeds primarily on fish and invertebrates.
In the summer, Black Guillemots can be found along the coast of Maine, where they breed and raise their young. They typically nest in crevices or cavities in cliffs or rocks along the shore, or in tree cavities near water.
The Black Guillemot is a highly social bird, and it forms large colonies during the breeding season. It is also a highly vocal species, and its calls and songs can be heard in its breeding colonies.
Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic Puffin, also known as the Common Puffin, is a species of seabird native to the coastal regions of Maine. It is one of the most recognizable and well-known seabirds, with its distinctive appearance and quirky behavior.
The Atlantic Puffin has a black back and wings, a white underbelly, and a brightly colored bill with a large, triangular "parrot-like" shape. It is a strong swimmer and diver, and it feeds primarily on small fish and squid.
In the summer, Atlantic Puffins can be found along the coast of Maine, where they breed and raise their young. They typically nest in burrows or crevices in cliffs or rocks along the shore, and they use their brightly colored bill to attract mates and defend their territories.
The Atlantic Puffin is a highly social bird, and it forms large colonies during the breeding season. It is also a highly vocal species, and its calls and songs can be heard in its breeding colonies.
Northern Gannet
The Northern Gannet, also known as the Soland Goose, is a seabird species native to the coastal regions of Maine. It is a large and striking bird, with a distinctive appearance and impressive hunting abilities.
The Northern Gannet has a white plumage, a long, slender neck, and a yellow head with a sharp, hooked bill. It is a powerful flier, capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour as it dives into the ocean to catch its prey.
In the summer, Northern Gannets can be found along the coast of Maine, where they breed and raise their young. They typically nest on rocky cliffs or islands, and they form large colonies with thousands of individuals.
The Northern Gannet is a diving bird, and it feeds primarily on fish and squid. It uses its sharp bill and webbed feet to catch its prey, diving from great heights into the ocean to capture its food.
Double-Crested Cormorant
The Double-Crested Cormorant is a large, widespread bird species native to the coastal regions of Maine. It is a distinctive bird with a black plumage, a long, hooked bill, and two distinctive crests of feathers on its head.
Double-Crested Cormorants are excellent swimmers and divers, and they feed mainly on fish and other aquatic animals. They use their strong bill and webbed feet to catch their prey, diving from the surface of the water into the depths below.
In the summer months, Double-Crested Cormorants can be found along the coasts of Maine, where they breed and raise their young. They form large colonies on rocky islands and cliffs, and they are an important part of the local ecosystem, helping to control populations of fish and other aquatic animals.
In recent years, the Double-Crested Cormorant population has faced a number of challenges, including habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution. Despite these challenges, the species has managed to maintain its populations, and it is still a common and widespread bird along the coast of Maine.
Conservation efforts are underway to protect and conserve this species, including habitat protection and management, and research into its behavior and ecology. By working to protect this important bird and its habitat, we can help to ensure that the Double-Crested Cormorant will
Osprey
The Osprey, also known as the sea hawk or fish hawk, is a large bird of prey native to Maine. It is easily recognizable due to its distinctive appearance, with a white head, brown body, and white underparts.
Ospreys are specialist fish-eaters, and they are found near bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, and the coast. They hunt by diving from the air into the water to catch fish with their sharp talons, and they are well adapted for this lifestyle, with reversible outer toes that allow them to grasp their prey more easily.
In Maine, Ospreys are a common sight along the coast and near large bodies of water. They nest in tall trees, on platforms, or on man-made structures, and they typically lay two to three eggs each year. The young Ospreys fledge after several weeks, and they will typically stay close to their parents for several months, learning how to hunt and feed themselves.
Ospreys were once threatened by habitat loss, pesticides, and other factors, but they have made a strong comeback in recent years. Conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and management, have helped to protect this species and its habitat, and it is now a common sight along the coast of Maine.
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a large bird of prey that is native to Maine and can be found throughout North America. It is easily recognizable due to its distinctive white head, tail, and underparts, which contrast with its dark brown body and wings.
Bald Eagles are opportunistic hunters and feed on a variety of prey, including fish, small mammals, and carrion. They are also known to steal food from other birds, such as ospreys, and they are capable of diving at speeds of over 100 miles per hour to capture their prey.
In Maine, Bald Eagles are most commonly found along the coast and near large bodies of water, where they have access to abundant fish populations. They typically nest in tall trees near water, and they lay one to three eggs each year. The young eagles fledge after several weeks, and they will typically stay close to their parents for several months, learning how to hunt and feed themselves.
Herring Gull
The Herring Gull is a large, common gull that can be found along the coast of Maine. It is easily recognizable by its white head, neck, and underparts, as well as its gray back and wings. The Herring Gull also has a yellow bill with a red spot near the tip, and it has pink legs and feet.
Herring Gulls are omnivores and feed on a variety of food sources, including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and garbage. They are known to be opportunistic feeders, and they will often scavenge along the coast or in landfills for food.
In Maine, Herring Gulls are most commonly found along the coast and near large bodies of water, where they can feed on the abundant fish populations. They typically nest in large colonies on islands or on the mainland near the coast, and they lay two to three eggs each year. The young gulls fledge after several weeks, and they will typically stay near their parents for several months, learning how to hunt and feed themselves.
Herring Gulls are abundant and widespread along the coast of Maine, and they are not considered to be threatened or endangered. They are a common sight along the shoreline and on offshore islands, and they play an important role in the coastal ecosystem by consuming large amounts of fish and other aquatic animals.
Great Black-Backed Gull
The Great Black-Backed Gull is the largest gull species in the world and can be found along the coast of Maine. It is easily recognizable by its large size and distinctive black back and wings. The head, neck, and underparts of the Great Black-Backed Gull are white, and it has a yellow bill with a red spot near the tip. Its legs and feet are pink or yellow.
The Great Black-Backed Gull is a highly opportunistic feeder, feeding on a wide range of food sources including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, small mammals, and garbage. It is known to be a powerful hunter, and it will often chase other birds to steal their food.
In Maine, the Great Black-Backed Gull can be found along the coast, near large bodies of water, and in coastal communities. They typically nest on offshore islands or on the mainland near the coast, and they lay two to three eggs each year. The young gulls fledge after several weeks and will typically stay near their parents for several months, learning how to hunt and feed themselves.
Razorbill
The Razorbill is a large seabird species that is native to the coastal waters of Maine. It is a member of the Alcidae family, which also includes puffins and guillemots. The Razorbill is easily recognizable by its large, black, triangular-shaped bill and its slate-grey plumage.
Razorbills breed along the rocky cliffs of the North Atlantic, and they can be found in large colonies along the coast of Maine during the breeding season. During the non-breeding season, they are more widely distributed at sea, and they are known to be strong swimmers and divers.
Razorbills feed mainly on small fish and squid, and they have been known to dive to depths of over 200 feet in search of food. They are capable of diving for several minutes at a time and are able to swim underwater using their wings for propulsion.
In Maine, Razorbills breed in large colonies along the rocky cliffs and offshore islands of the coast. They typically lay a single egg each year, which is incubated by both the male and female for approximately a month. The chick fledges after about six to seven weeks, at which time it is able to feed itself.
Black-Legged Kittiwake
The Black-Legged Kittiwake is a seabird species native to Maine, and is widely distributed along the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean. They are medium-sized birds, with a wingspan of approximately 4 feet and a body length of about 16 inches. They are characterized by their light gray backs, white underbellies, and distinctive black legs and feet. They have a sharp, hooked beak that is used for catching fish and other marine life.
Black-Legged Kittiwakes typically nest along coastal cliffs and offshore islands, and they are often seen in large colonies with thousands of other gulls and seabirds. In Maine, they can be found along the rugged coastlines, especially in areas with abundant fish populations. They are known to feed primarily on small fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals, and they are an important indicator of the health of the marine ecosystem.
These seabirds are highly gregarious and are often seen in large flocks, especially during migration. They are strong fliers, and they are known to travel long distances in search of food. They have a high reproductive rate, and their populations are typically stable. However, like many seabird species, they are vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation, as well as pollution and other human-related activities.
Murre
The Murre, also known as the Common Murre or Guillemot, is a seabird that is native to the Atlantic coast of North America, including the state of Maine. Murres are members of the auk family and are known for their distinctive appearance, with their black and white plumage, short necks, and chunky bodies.
These birds are excellent swimmers and divers, with their webbed feet and streamlined bodies making them well-adapted to life in the water. They feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates, diving to catch their prey. Murres are also capable of diving to depths of up to 200 feet in search of food.
During breeding season, Murres can be found in large colonies along the coast of Maine, where they nest on cliffs and rocky outcroppings. They lay a single egg on a narrow ledge, which is incubated by both parents. The chicks are precocial, meaning they are able to move and swim soon after hatching.
While Murres are considered a common species, their populations have declined in recent years due to a variety of factors, including habitat loss, oil spills, and over-fishing. Conservation efforts are underway to help protect and recover populations of these birds, including habitat restoration and protection, oil spill response and cleanup, and reducing the impact of fishing on their food sources.
In conclusion, the seabirds of Maine are a vital part of the state's rich natural heritage and play an important role in maintaining the health of the marine ecosystem. These birds provide important habitats for other species, serve as important food sources for predators, and offer opportunities for education, research, and conservation. Despite the challenges they face from habitat loss, pollution, and other threats, the seabirds of Maine continue to thrive and provide a source of inspiration and wonder for residents and visitors alike. It is important that we continue to protect and conserve these important species and their habitats, so that future generations can enjoy their beauty and ecological significance for years to come.