What habitat does the Xeme prefer over familiar coastal shores?
The open ocean
The Xeme, also known scientifically as *Xema sabini*, exhibits a strong preference for the open ocean environment, contrasting sharply with the coastal habitats favored by its larger gull relatives. This preference is integral to its highly pelagic lifestyle, meaning it spends the vast majority of its life over the water, only making landfall specifically for the purpose of nesting. This offshore existence is supported by its physical structure, featuring streamlined silhouettes and light build optimized for long-distance oceanic travel rather than bulk scavenging near human activity. Consequently, observing this species far from shore often necessitates undertaking boat trips or waiting for specific storm fallouts that temporarily push these wide-ranging birds closer to land.

#Videos
Xeme Facts: Sabine's Gull (Xema) 𓅰 Animal Fact Files - YouTube