Seabird ID Form

Seabird Species Description Form
Cruise #: _____________
Species common name: _______________________________
Date: _______________

Haul #

Specimen collected:

N

Y

OR

Permit #: _____________

Lat / Long: ___________________________

Drop off location : __________________Photos taken?

Y

N

Length of bird - measure straight line from the tip of bill to longest tail feather: _________ cm
Foot type: (Circle one or describe)

3 webbed
toes

3 webbed toes, 4th
minute, flat heel

3 webbed toes,
4th minute,
swollen heel

3 webbed toes; 4th toe
free, with fleshy flap

4 webbed toes

Other foot type, describe and draw:

Tarsus measurement: (For all tubenoses and unidentified birds)

The tarsus or leg measurement is the long
bone connecting the ankle to the foot. It is
measured diagonally across the bone from
the middle groove of the ankle joint to the
top edge of the foot.
Tarsus length: ___________ mm

All images © COASST 2002. This data sheet
may only be reproduced in whole and not in part.

Bill shape: (Circle one or describe)

Hooked bill
Nasal tubes on side

Hooked bill
Nasal tubes on top

Orange, with grooves,
horn or bump

Bill measurement :

Duck-like bill
with feathers

Hooked bill
Arch on lower
mandible

Duck-like bill
with knob

Dark, smooth,
pointed bill; arch on
lower mandible

Other bill shape,
describe and draw.

(All birds)
Bill length or exposed culmen, is the straight-line
distance between the tip of the bill and the point where
the bill meets the skin or feathers of the forehead. Place
one end of the dividers at the tip of the bill and measure
the diagonal distance to the forehead feathers.
Bill length: ___________ mm

Wing chord measurement:

(All birds)
In a relaxed folded wing, the wing chord is the distance
between the wrist bend and the tip of the longest primary
feather. Do not stretch out the wing. For accuracy, gently lay
the wing against the ruler (do not flatten) and line the end of the
ruler up with the wrist.
Wing chord length: ___________ cm

Additional identifying characteristics or notes:

All images © COASST 2002. This data sheet
may only be reproduced in whole and not in part.
National Marine Fisheries Service/Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Division

Ver. '09