Top 10 Endangered Seabirds in 2025: Crisis and Conservation

The Plight of Seabirds: An Overview

Seabirds, which include albatrosses, petrels, penguins, and terns, are vital components of marine ecosystems. They act as indicators of ocean health, and their declines often signal broader environmental problems. Tragically, one study documented a 70% global decline in seabird populations since the 1950s . In U.S. waters alone, analyses show steep declines for nearly all North American seabird species between 2012 and 2022 . The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that approximately 1,400 bird species worldwide are threatened, a significant portion of which are seabirds . The most pervasive threats include climate change, fisheries by catch, invasive species, pollution, and habitat destruction. 

Criteria for Endangered Status

A bird is classified as “endangered” when it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild. This designation,
often made by the IUCN, is based on criteria such as:

· Rapid population decline

· Severely restricted geographic range

· Extremely small population size

Threats such as habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and human exploitation are key factors in this assessment .

Top 10 Endangered Seabirds in 2025

Here is a detailed look at ten of the world’s most imperiled seabirds, the challenges they face, and the hopeful efforts to save them. 

1. Tristan Albatross (Diomedea  dabbenena)

Status: Critically Endangered

Population: Approximately 9,000 to 15,000 birds

Threats: This majestic bird breeds primarily on Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. Its greatest threat is predation
by introduced mice, which attack and kill chicks. Longline fishing bycatch also contributes significantly to its decline, as birds are hooked and drowned when going after bait. 

2. Amsterdam Albatross (Diomedea amsterdamensis)

· Status: Critically Endangered 

·  Population: Around 130 individuals (only ~80 adults)

· Threats: With a tiny population, this albatross breeds only on Amsterdam Island in the South Pacific. It is threatened by degradation of its breeding sites by cattle, feral cats, and the ever-present danger of longline fishing. Avian diseases also pose a significant risk to its recovery.

3. Newell’s Shearwater (Puffinus newelli)

·  Status: Endangered

· Population: Unknown, but rapidly declining

      Threats: Native to Hawaii, this shearwater faces multiple threats. Predation by invasive non-native species like
rats, cats, and mongoose is a major problem. Habitat loss and collisions with power lines have also driven its decline. It is a focal species for several translocation and social attraction projects aimed at establishing new, safer colonies. 

4. Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)

· Status: Endangered

· Population: 1,500 – 1,800 individuals

· Threats: As the only penguin found north of the equator, this species is highly vulnerable. El Niño Southern
Oscillation (ENSO) events cause ocean warming, which decimates their fish prey. Other threats include introduced predators like rats and cats, disease, and potential impacts from tourism.    

5. Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis)

· Status: Endangered 

· Population: Declining

· Threats: This endemic Hawaiian species is threatened by invasive predators at its nesting grounds, which
are often in burrows. Light pollution disorients fledglings, causing them to strand inland. Habitat degradation and climate change are also significant concerns. Conservationists are using predator-proof
fencing and translocation to protect them.

6. Magenta Petrel (Pterodroma magentae)

· Status: Critically Endangered

· Population: 120 – 150 individuals

· Threats: Once thought extinct, this petrel from New Zealand’s Chatham Island was rediscovered. Its population was decimated by introduced rats, pigs, and possums. A severe genetic bottleneck and a skewed sex ratio (95% of non-breeding adults are male) further complicate recovery efforts, making it difficult for birds to find mates.

7. Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis)

· Status: Endangered

· Population: Declining

· Threats: This albatross is the focus of a major international conservation project due to its rapid decline from fisheries bycatch. It is particularly vulnerable to longline fishing operations in the Pacific. Global initiatives are working to increase the use of bycatch mitigation measures on fishing vessels to protect this and other albatross species.

8. Pink-footed Shearwater (Ardenna creatopus)

· Status: Endangered

· Population: Decreasing

· Threats: This species is threatened by bycatch in fisheries off the coast of South America and predation by
invasive species at its breeding colonies in Chile. It is protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), highlighting the need for international
cooperation.

9. Arizona’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma sp.)

· Status: Data Deficient (but of high concern)

· Population: Unknown

· Threats: While not yet officially listed, this potential species and others like the Craveri’s Murrelet are of urgent concern. They face threats from bycatch, marine pollution, forage fish depletion, and predation. Funding is being directed to complete threat reviews and population assessments to determine their conservation status.

10. Spectacled Cormorant (Urile perspicillatus)

· Status: Extinct (A Cautionary Tale)

· Threats: Historically, human activity has already caused seabird extinctions. This large cormorant was driven to extinction in the 1850s due to overhunting. Its story serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction and the importance of protecting the species still with us today.

Table: Summary of Top Endangered Seabirds   

Seabird Species	Conservation Status	Primary Threats
Tristan Albatross	Critically Endangered	Invasive mice, fisheries bycatch
Amsterdam Albatross	Critically Endangered	Invasive species, longline fishing
Newell’s Shearwater	Endangered	Invasive predators, habitat loss
Galapagos Penguin	Endangered	Climate change (El Niño), invasive species
Hawaiian Petrel	Endangered	Invasive predators, light pollution
Magenta Petrel	Critically Endangered	Invasive species, skewed sex ratio
Antipodean Albatross	Endangered	Fisheries bycatch
Pink-footed Shearwater	Endangered	Fisheries bycatch, invasive species
Arizona’s Storm-Petrel	Data Deficient	Bycatch, pollution, predation
Spectacled Cormorant	Extinct	Overhunting

How to Help Endangered Seabirds: Conservation Solutions

The situation is dire, but there is hope. Successful conservation strategies are being implemented worldwide, and
everyone can play a role.  

1. Support Conservation Organizations

Donate to or volunteer with groups dedicated to seabird conservation, such as the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation (NFWF), Pacific Rim Conservation, or BirdLife International. These organizations fund critical research, translocation projects, and advocacy work. 

2. Promote Sustainable Fishing Practices

Support policies and companies that advocate for bycatch reduction techniques. Simple, cost-effective measures
like bird-scaring lines (Tori lines), setting hooks at night, and weighting lines to sink faster have been proven to reduce seabird bycatch by over 90% in some fisheries.

3. Reduce Plastic Pollution

Minimize your use of single-use plastics. Seabirds commonly mistake plastic for food  or become entangled in debris, which can lead to starvation and death. Participating in beach clean-ups is another direct way to help.

4. Advocate for Policy Change

Support strong environmental legislation and international agreements like the Agreement on the Conservation of
Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP). Urge your representatives to prioritize funding for conservation programs and to protect critical marine habitats.

5. Create Safe Nesting Grounds

Support projects that eradicate invasive species from islands and restore native habitats. Translocation efforts—moving birds to new, predator-free colonies—have a very high success rate (76%) and are crucial for saving species from rising sea levels.

6. Participate in Citizen Science

Join bird-watching groups or use apps like eBird to contribute to data collection. This helps scientists monitor population trends and identify critical areas for conservation.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for Seabird Survival

The list of the Top 10 Endangered Seabirds in 2025 is more than a catalog of species; it is a stark warning about the health of our oceans. The primary drivers of their decline—climate change, bycatch, and invasive species—are all challenges we have the power to mitigate. From supporting sustainable fisheries to reducing our plastic footprint, every action counts. The successful translocation of albatrosses to higher ground and the dramatic reduction in bycatch through simple measures prove that positive change is possible. The question is, will we act quickly and decisively enough to ensure these majestic seabirds continue to soar over our oceans for generations to come?

What will you do today to help protect these incredible seabirds? Share your ideas and commitments in the comments below.