Why Alcids

There are about 10,000 bird species worldwide and about 300-400 are seabird species. Of those, 24 are alcid species. Millions of alcids inhabit our oceans, relying on its forage fish and tiny shrimp, and encountering the bounty and threats these oceans offer. George Divoky, who has studied Black Guillemot alcid species for decades has recognized they are harbingers for climate change because they like to nest on the edge of land and ice in Alaska. He and his team have noticed their nest locations change, in response to this changing boundary.  He was even on The Late Show with David Letterman, once. For more information about alcids, see Resources.

Photo credit: Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) at Alaska Sea Life Center in Seward, Alaska.
Photograph – Dick Daniels http://carolinabirds.org