Scientists Map Global Seabird Flyways, Highlighting Threats to 30% of Species

Arctic terns, south polar skuas and grey‑headed albatrosses travel the longest migrations on Earth, covering up to 80,000 km annually. Recent tracking data have revealed six predictable marine flyways that cross the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans, touching the waters of 56 countries. The study, led by BirdLife International and published in Global Ecology and Biogeography, shows that these pelagic seabirds follow broad figure‑eight routes between breeding colonies in the Arctic and Antarctic. With more than 30 % of seabird species globally threatened, the research underscores the vulnerability of these birds to threats that span multiple jurisdictions—from breeding colonies to stopover sites and the open sea.