Seabird colonies across the North Atlantic are experiencing reduced breeding success as warming seas shift fish availability, with multiple species suffering simultaneous declines.
Seabirds during poor fish years make prolonged foraging trips leaving chicks vulnerable to starvation and exposure. Failed breeding attempts after the energy investment of incubation represent significant welfare costs. HPAI causes rapid neurological deterioration and death. Adults that lose mates show prolonged disrupted breeding, as many seabirds are monogamous with multi-decade pair bonds.