Marbled Murrelet Welfare: Old-Growth Logging Crisis in the Pacific Northwest

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a seabird with one of the most unusual nesting strategies in North America: it nests on the massive branches of old-growth trees miles from the ocean. The ongoing loss of these ancient forests has brought this species to the brink.

Key Facts

Marbled murrelets require old-growth or large mature trees with wide, mossy limbs for nesting — the only North American seabird to do so
The Pacific Northwest population has declined by over 50% since the 1970s due to old-growth logging
Murrelets commute up to 80 km between nesting trees and coastal foraging areas each day
Corvid predation of eggs and chicks is elevated near forest edges created by logging
The species is listed as Threatened in the USA and Endangered in Canada

Welfare Considerations

Marbled murrelets that lose their nesting tree to logging must search for alternative sites in an increasingly fragmented landscape. Failure to find suitable nest sites results in breeding omission — entire seasons without reproduction. Increased forest edges from logging expose remaining trees to corvid predation, with ravens and Steller's jays devastating nest success. Adults commuting daily between ocean and forest face predation risk from peregrine falcons. Conservation welfare requires protecting all remaining old-growth stands and implementing buffer zones around known nest trees.

What You Can Do

Support legal campaigns protecting old-growth forests in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia
Advocate for forest buffer zones around known marbled murrelet nest trees
Support corvid management programs in priority murrelet nesting areas
Donate to American Bird Conservancy and Ecotrust Canada murrelet protection programs
Buy lumber products certified under FSC standards that prohibit old-growth harvesting