Biota

Exploring Nature

Section 4 — Seabirds & Large Aquatic Birds

This section follows the AviList sequence through the major lineages of birds adapted to life on or over the water. Although these groups look very different — from penguins and loons to albatrosses, cormorants, herons, storks, and pelicans — they share a broad ecological theme: strong swimmers, divers, or long‑distance ocean travellers. Many spend most of their lives at sea or in large wetlands, returning to land mainly to breed.

Together, these Orders represent some of the most specialised aquatic birds on Earth, ranging from deep‑diving seabirds to soaring ocean wanderers and large wetland hunters.

Orders included:

  • Order: Eurypygiformes (Sunbittern, Kagu)
  • Order: Phaethontiformes (Tropicbirds)
  • Order: Gaviiformes (Loons/Divers)
  • Order: Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
  • Order: Procellariiformes (Albatrosses, Petrels, Shearwaters)
  • Order: Ciconiiformes (Storks)
  • Order: Suliformes (Cormorants, Boobies, Frigatebirds, Anhingas)
  • Order: Pelecaniformes (Herons, Egrets, Ibises, Spoonbills, Pelicans)

Species I’ve Seen in This Section

Listed below by Order, Family, and species, with notes on where and when each was recorded.

Red-billed Tropicbird - Phaethon aethereus

Order: Eurypygiformes

Sunbittern & Kagu
Two rare forest birds known for bold wing patterns and secretive behaviour.

Order: Phaethontiformes

Tropicbirds
Graceful, long‑tailed seabirds of tropical oceans, nesting on remote islands.

Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) chick
— Trinidad & Tobago 2019

Order and Family recorded: expand each to view species.

Order: Eurypygiformes — Family: Eurypygidae (Sunbittern) – 1
  1. Sunbittern (Eurypyga helias) — Costa Rica 2015; Amazon 2024
Order: Phaethontiformes — Family: Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds) – 1
  1. Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019

Order: Gaviiformes

Loons and Divers
Large, fish‑eating diving birds of northern lakes and coasts. Divers are powerful underwater swimmers with dense plumage and dagger‑like bills, and are famous for their haunting, far‑carrying calls.

Great Northern Diver / Loon (Gavia immer)
— Iceland 2021

Families recorded: expand each to view species.

Family: Gaviidae (Loons and Divers) – 4
  1. White-billed Diver (Gavia adamsii) — Norway & Finland 2018
  2. Black-throated Diver (Gavia arctica) — Various (UK Species)
  3. Common Loon (Gavia immer) — Various (UK Species)
  4. Red-throated Diver (Gavia stellata) — Various (UK Species)
Chinstrap Penguin - Pygoscelis antarcticus

Order: Sphenisciformes

Penguins
Flightless seabirds of the Southern Hemisphere, adapted for powerful underwater swimming with flipper‑like wings. Penguins breed in colonies and range from icy Antarctic coasts to temperate and even tropical waters.

Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus)
— Antarctica 2021

Families recorded: expand each to view species.

Family: Spheniscidae (Penguins) – 12
  1. Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) — Antarctica 2021
  2. King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) — Antarctica 2021
  3. Southern Rockhopper Penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome) — Antarctica 2021
  4. Macaroni Penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) — Antarctica 2021
  5. Fiordland Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) — New Zealand 2023
  6. Erect-crested Penguin (Eudyptes sclateri) — New Zealand 2023
  7. Little Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) — New Zealand 2023
  8. Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) — New Zealand 2023
  9. Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) — Antarctica 2021
  10. Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) — Antarctica 2021
  11. Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) — Antarctica 2021
  12. Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) — Antarctica 2021

Order: Procellariiformes

Albatrosses, Petrels & Shearwaters
Ocean‑going seabirds with long wings and superb gliding ability, spending most of their lives far offshore. They range from giant albatrosses to small storm‑petrels, all adapted to life over open water.

Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)
— Antarctica 2021

Black-browed Albatross

Families recorded: expand each to view species.

Family: Diomedeidae (Albatrosses) – 11
  1. Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) — New Zealand 2023
  2. Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora) — Antarctica 2021; New Zealand 2023
  3. Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) — Antarctica 2021
  4. Gibson’s Albatross (Diomedea gibsoni) — New Zealand 2023
  5. Northern Royal Albatross (Diomedea sanfordi) — Antarctica 2021; New Zealand 2023
  6. Light-mantled Albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) — Antarctica 2021
  7. Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) — Antarctica 2021
  8. Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) — Antarctica 2021
  9. Buller’s Albatross (Thalassarche bulleri) — New Zealand 2023
  10. Salvin’s Albatross (Thalassarche salvini) — New Zealand 2023
  11. White-capped Albatross (Thalassarche steadi) — New Zealand 2023
Family: Oceanitidae (Austral Storm Petrels) – 4
  1. Black-bellied Storm Petrel (Fregetta tropica) — Antarctica 2021
  2. Gray-backed Storm Petrel (Garrodia nereis) — Antarctica 2021
  3. Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) — Antarctica 2021
  4. Fuegan Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus ssp. chilensis) — Antarctica 2021
Family: Procellariidae (Petrels and Shearwaters) – 23
  1. Buller’s Shearwater (Ardenna bulleri) — New Zealand 2023
  2. Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes) — New Zealand 2023
  3. Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis) — Antarctica 2021
  4. Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea) — Antarctica 2021; New Zealand 2023
  5. Cape Petrel (Daption capense) — Antarctica 2021; New Zealand 2023
  6. Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) — Various – common UK bird; Svalbard 2019
  7. Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) — Antarctica 2021
  8. Blue Petrel (Halobaena caerulea) — Antarctica 2021
  9. Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) — Antarctica 2021
  10. Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli) — Antarctica 2021; New Zealand 2023
  11. Slender-billed Prion (Pachyptila belcheri) — Antarctica 2021
  12. Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata) — Antarctica 2021
  13. Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur) — New Zealand 2023
  14. Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) — Antarctica 2021
  15. Magellanic Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides magellani) — Antarctica 2021
  16. Common Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix) — Antarctica 2021
  17. White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) — Antarctica 2021; New Zealand 2023
  18. Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica) — New Zealand 2023
  19. Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi) — New Zealand 2023
  20. Soft-plumaged Petrel (Pterodroma mollis) — Antarctica 2021
  21. Fluttering Shearwater (Puffinus gavia) — New Zealand 2023
  22. Hutton’s Shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) — New Zealand 2023
  23. Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
Lesser adjutant, Leptoptilos javanicus

Order: Ciconiiformes

Storks
Large, heavy-billed wading birds characterized by long necks, sturdy legs, and a lack of a functional syrinx, making them primarily mute. Unlike herons, they fly with their necks fully extended. They are masters of soaring, utilizing thermal updrafts to travel long distances between wetlands and grasslands where they hunt for fish, amphibians, and small mammals.

Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
— India 2020

Families recorded: expand each to view species.

Family: Ciconiidae (Storks) – 8
  1. Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans) — Bhutan & India 2020
  2. White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) — Spain 2016; Slovenia 2024
  3. Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) — Spain 2016; Slovenia 2024
  4. Jabiru (Jabiru mycteria) — Costa Rica 2015
  5. Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) — Bhutan & India 2020
  6. Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) — Bhutan & India 2020
  7. Maguari Stork (Maguari maguari) — Buenos Aires 2021
  8. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) — Costa Rica 2015

Order: Suliformes

Cormorants, Boobies, Frigatebirds, Anhingas
These are water‑dependent birds found along coasts, rivers, and lakes.  Boobies and gannets are known for their high‑speed plunge‑dives, while frigatebirds soar effortlessly over the sea. Cormorants and anhingas chase fish underwater and are often seen spreading their wings to dry after diving.

Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga)
— Costa Rica 2015;

Anhinga - Anhinga anhinga

Families recorded: expand each to view species.

Family: Fregatidae (Frigatebirds) – 1
  1. Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019
Family: Sulidae (Gannets and Boobies) – 4
  1. Gannet (Morus bassanus) — Various (UK Species)
  2. Australasian Gannet (Morus serrator) — New Zealand 2023
  3. Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019
  4. Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
Family: Anhingidae (Anhingas and Darters) – 1
  1. Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Texas 2024; Amazon 2024
Family: Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags) – 17
  1. Shag (Gulosus aristotelis) — Various (UK Species)
  2. Imperial Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps) — Antarctica 2021
  3. Antarctic Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps ssp. bransfieldensis) — Antarctica 2021
  4. South Georgia Shag (Leucocarbo atriceps ssp. georgianus) — Antarctica 2021
  5. New Zealand King Shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) — New Zealand 2023
  6. Otago Shag (Leucocarbo chalconotus) — New Zealand 2023
  7. Foveaux Shag (Leucocarbo stewarti) — New Zealand 2023
  8. Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos) — New Zealand 2023
  9. Little Cormorant (Microcarbo niger) — Bhutan & India 2020
  10. Pygmy Cormorant (Microcarbo pygmaeus) — Slovenia 2024
  11. Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
  12. Neotropical Cormorant (Nannopterum brasilianum) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Buenos Aires 2021; Texas 2024; Amazon 2024
  13. Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) — Various (Widespread UK Species)
  14. Rock Shag (Phalacrocorax magellanicus) — Antarctica 2021
  15. Spotted Shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus) — New Zealand 2023
  16. Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) — New Zealand 2023
  17. Australian Pied Cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) — New Zealand 2023
White-bellied Heron - Ardea insignis

Order: Pelecaniformes

Herons, Pelicans, and Ibises
This group includes some of the world’s most recognizable water birds. Most are expert hunters with long, sharp bills used for stabbing fish or scooping them from the water. You’ll often find them standing perfectly still in the shallows or nesting in high colonies near lakes, rivers, and coastal wetlands.

White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis)
— Bhutan 2020

Families recorded: expand each to view species.

Family: Pelecanidae (Pelicans) – 2
  1. American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) — Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
  2. Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Texas 2024
Family: Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns) – 28
  1. Agami Heron (Agamia agami) — Amazon 2024
  2. Great Egret (Great White Egret) (Ardea alba) — Various (UK Species)
  3. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) — Various (Widespread UK Species)
  4. Cocoi Heron (Ardea cocoi) — Buenos Aires 2021; Amazon 2024
  5. Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) — Costa Rica 2015; Yellowstone 2017; Texas 2024
  6. White-bellied Heron (Ardea insignis) — Bhutan & India 2020
  7. Medium Egret (Intermediate Egret) (Ardea intermedia) — Bhutan & India 2020
  8. Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) — Spain 2016; Bhutan & India 2020
  9. Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii) — Bhutan & India 2020
  10. Western Cattle Egret (Cattle Egret) (Bubulcus ibis) — Costa Rica 2015; Spain 2016; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Bhutan & India 2020; Texas 2024; Amazon 2024
  11. Little Heron (Striated Heron) (Butorides atricapilla) — Buenos Aires 2021
  12. Striated Heron (Butorides striata) — Amazon 2024
  13. Green Heron (Butorides virescens) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Texas 2024
  14. Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Amazon 2024
  15. Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Texas 2024
  16. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) — Various (Widespread UK Species)
  17. White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) — New Zealand 2023
  18. Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) — Texas 2024
  19. Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Buenos Aires 2021; Texas 2024; Amazon 2024
  20. Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Texas 2024
  21. Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) — Texas 2024
  22. Little Bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) — Spain 2016
  23. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) — Costa Rica 2015; Trinidad & Tobago 2019; Texas 2024
  24. Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) — Costa Rica 2015; Antarctica 2021; Buenos Aires 2021; Texas 2024; Amazon 2024
  25. Capped Heron (Pilherodius pileatus) — Amazon 2024
  26. Fasciated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma fasciatum) — Costa Rica 2015
  27. Rufescent Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma lineatum) — Buenos Aires 2021; Amazon 2024
  28. Bare-throated Tiger-Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) — Costa Rica 2015
Family: Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills) – 9
  1. White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) — Costa Rica 2015; Texas 2024
  2. Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) — Trinidad & Tobago 2019
  3. Green Ibis (Mesembrinibis cayennensis) — Costa Rica 2015; Amazon 2024
  4. Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) — Costa Rica 2015; Texas 2024
  5. Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) — New Zealand 2023
  6. White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) — Texas 2024
  7. Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) — Texas 2024
  8. Buff-necked Ibis (Theristicus caudatus) — Amazon 2024
  9. Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis) — Antarctica 2021