Seabirds Surf Hurricanes to Feast on Deep-Sea Prey

In 2025, scientists are using GPS tracking to uncover remarkable insights into the ancient and mysterious migrations of various bird species. One of the most fascinating discoveries is the behavior of the Desertas petrel, a storm-chasing seabird that seeks out hurricanes to find deep-sea prey.

These tiny birds, no bigger than pigeons, breed on a single deserted island off the coast of North Africa. One of the tracked birds, named Marlo, was observed chasing a tropical storm for 19 days, covering nearly 7,000 miles and reaching speeds of 41 mph. Researchers believe the petrels use changes in air pressure, cloud patterns, and wave swells to locate these storms, which churn up nutrient-rich waters that attract their prey.

While the Desertas petrels' migration is a remarkable feat of endurance, other birds are facing new threats. The nightingale, a migratory songbird, is experiencing a 91% population decline in Britain over the past 50 years due to habitat degradation at both ends of its migration route. Droughts, wildfires, and a growing human population in its wintering grounds in West Africa have reduced the quality of its habitat.

Meanwhile, the Bewick's swan, one of the heaviest long-distance migratory birds, is adapting to a warming climate by "short-stopping" - making much shorter journeys to ice-free wetlands and agricultural areas in Europe. While this is a loss for birdwatchers in the Netherlands and the UK, it may be an advantage for the swans, as they can migrate faster and spend less energy on their journeys.

These stories highlight the extraordinary resilience and adaptability of birds, as well as the urgent need to protect their habitats and migratory routes in the face of climate change and human impact.