Nearctica - Birds - Fulmars, Petrels, and Shearwaters (Procellariidae)

Fulmars, Petrels, and Shearwaters are marine, "seagull-like" birds that typically spend almost their entire life flying over the oceans of the world except during the nesting season. The family is characterized by tubular nostrils utilized in removing the salt from the seawater they drink. The species have webbed feet and long, pointed wings held out at the sides for prolonged glides over the surface of the water. The diet consists of fish, squid, and planktonic animals from the surface waters of the ocean. There are 80 species worldwide, with 6 species found off the shores of eastern North America.