What describes the pelagic existence of the Sabine’s Gull during the non-breeding season?
Answer
A pelagic existence far from land, utilizing rich upwelling zones for feeding.
Once the Arctic breeding season concludes, the Sabine’s Gull adopts a highly pelagic lifestyle, meaning it spends the vast majority of the subsequent months in the open ocean, often far from landmasses. This strategy relies on exploiting rich marine food sources found in areas of oceanic productivity, specifically noted as upwelling zones. This pattern contrasts sharply with the short, intense foraging period on the tundra and is crucial for sustaining the bird through the long, demanding oceanic transit phase.
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