King penguins stand side by side

Seabirds

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Two Adélie penguins on Paulet Island, Antarctica

Penguin Overview

Are you a student researching penguins or someone looking to learn more about penguins? This overview dives into everything to know.

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Featured Content

An 'austral' or southern breeder, Great Shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) migrate from breeding islands far to the south in the Atlantic before traveling to the Northern Atlantic to feed.

Migratory Seabirds: A Slideshow

Wandering albatross soars over the ocean

Saving Albatross Lives with Bird Scaring Lines

A puffin sits on a rock next to a puffin decoy.

How the Puffin Returned to Eastern Egg Rock

Midway Atoll, where these photos were taken, is more than 2,000 miles from the nearest land.

Laysan Albatrosses’ Plastic Problem

an illustration of two gannets

Seabirds of America

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

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Seabirds Articles

Human activity is increasing in the Arctic marine environment due to climate change. To help the most vulnerable areas, the Global Marine Program of IUCN, along with partners, is convening a series of workshops aimed at enhancing ecosystem-based management and identifying biologically or ecologically important or vulnerable habitats. Burgerbukta, a bay in Svalbard, Norway, is being managed for ecosystem protection.

The Sant Ocean Hall: Life at the Poles Exhibit

With their brown and yellow markings, seaside sparrows (Ammodramus maritimus) blend in well with marshgrass.

Beyond the Sea: How Oil Spills in the Ocean Affect Birds On Land

An albatross soars over the ocean.

Is It Love? Why Some Ocean Animals (Sort Of) Mate For Life

A Barbudan fisherman with a fresh lobster catch!

The Blue Halo – Barbuda and Beyond

Un pescador se sienta en su bote y sostiene una captura de langosta fresca

The Blue Halo - Barbuda y más allá

A puffin sits on a rock next to a puffin decoy.

How the Puffin Returned to Eastern Egg Rock

Wandering albatross soars over the ocean

Saving Albatross Lives with Bird Scaring Lines

An adult and juvenile killer whale frolic in the water.

Menopausal Moms: A Mammal Mystery

A Hawaiian petrel in flight

4,000 Years of Marine History through the Eyes of a Seabird

An 'austral' or southern breeder, Great Shearwaters (Ardenna gravis) migrate from breeding islands far to the south in the Atlantic before traveling to the Northern Atlantic to feed.

12,000 Miles to Go: Migrating with Shearwaters

A puffin with a mouthful of fish.

Watching for Fish in the Puffin's Beak

Magellanic penguin parents typically lay two eggs under a bush or in a burrow, taking turns swimming out to sea to catch food for their chicks.

Penguin Health Equals Ocean Health

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laikolosse, flickr