News Animals

Seabirds may find food at sea by flying in a massive, kilometers-wide arc

Radar shows that groups of birds can form a giant, coordinated line over the ocean’s surface

Black noddies (Anous minutus) are one of the bird species thought to be involved in constructing “rake” formations over the ocean surface.

CampPhoto/iStock/Getty Images Plus

By Jake Buehler

Food is scattered thinly in the open ocean, and seabirds often need to search far and wide to find sustenance. Now, researchers think they’ve found a new cooperative strategy among the birds, one that may help them survive on the high seas.