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Meet The Rare Oceanic Seabird That Flies To A Storm To Find A Snack
The Desertas petrel is a remarkable oceanic seabird that has left scientists astonished by its incredible ability to fly towards storms, specifically cyclones, in search of food. Research conducted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) revealed that nearly one-third of tracked birds actively flew towards these powerful weather systems, defying conventional wisdom about bird behavior.
Instead of avoiding cyclones, the Desertas petrels exploit the turbulent conditions to their advantage. The storm’s aftermath provides a unique opportunity for them to feast on the nutrient-rich waters and unsuspecting prey brought up from deeper depths by the ocean currents.
This remarkable adaptation is not just impressive but also crucial for their survival. By using the cyclone’s turbulence, they minimize the risk of injury or exhaustion that would come with battling gale-force winds while trying to find food elsewhere. The birds’ ability to read environmental cues, such as infrasound generated by the storm, allows them to detect and navigate towards the cyclones from hundreds of kilometers away.
These remarkable petrels have evolved to thrive in turbulent conditions, leveraging wind currents and oceanic circumstances with precision and efficiency. They can fly at incredible speeds, taking advantage of tailwinds and aligning their movements with these forces to conserve energy and maximize travel efficiency.
The Desertas petrel’s ability to navigate the high seas is truly remarkable.
Source: www.forbes.com
