Global Marine Flyways Identified for Long‐Distance Migrating Seabirds From Tracking Data
Authors: Morten Joanne M. , Carneiro Ana P. B. , Beal Martin , Bonnet‐Lebrun Anne‐Sophie , Dias Maria P. , Rouyer Marie‐Morgane , Harrison Autumn‐Lynn , González‐Solís Jacob , Jones Victoria R. , Garcia Alonso Virginia A. , Antolos Michelle , Arata Javier A. , Barbraud Christophe , Bell Elizabeth A. , Bell Mike , Bose Samhita , Broni Sharyn , de L Brooke Michael , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Carlile Nicholas , Catry Paulo , Catry Teresa , Charteris Matt , Cherel Yves , Clark Bethany L. , Clay Thomas A. , Cole Nik C. , Conners Melinda G. , Debski Igor , Delord Karine , Egevang Carsten , Elliot Graeme , Esefeld Jan , Facer Colin , Fayet Annette L. , Fijn Ruben C. , Fischer Johannes H. , Franklin Kirsty A. , Gilg Olivier , Gill Jennifer A. , Granadeiro José P. , Guilford Tim , Handley Jonathan M. , Hanssen Sveinn A. , Hawkes Lucy A. , Hedd April , Jaeger Audrey , Jones Carl G. , Jones Christopher W. , Kopp Matthias , Krietsch Johannes , Landers Todd J. , Lang Johannes , Le Corre Matthieu , Mallory Mark L. , Masello Juan F. , Maxwell Sara M. , Medrano Fernando , Militão Teresa , Millar Craig D. , Moe Børge , Montevecchi William A. , Navarro‐Herrero Leia , Neves Verónica C. , Nicholls David G. , Nicoll Malcolm A. C. , Norris Ken , O'Dwyer Terence W. , Parker Graham C. , Peter Hans‐Ulrich , Phillips Richard A. , Quillfeldt Petra , Ramos Jaime A. , Ramos Raül , Rayner Matt J. , Rexer‐Huber Kalinka , Ronconi Robert A. , Ruhomaun Kevin , Ryan Peter G. , Sagar Paul M. , Saldanha Sarah , Schmidt Niels M. , Schultz Hendrik , Shaffer Scott A. , Stenhouse Iain J. , Takahashi Akinori , Tatayah Vikash , Taylor Graeme A. , Thompson David R. , Thompson Theo , van Bemmelen Rob , Vicente‐Sastre Diego , Vigfúsdottir Freydís , Walker Kath J. , Watts Jim , Weimerskirch Henri , Yamamoto Takashi , Davies Tammy E. 
Published: February 2025

Aim

To identify the broad‐scale oceanic migration routes (‘marine flyways’) used by multiple pelagic, long‐distance migratory seabirds based on a global compilation of tracking data.

Location

Global.

Time Period

1989–2023.

Major Taxa Studied

Seabirds (Families: Phaethontidae, Hydrobatidae, Diomedeidae, Procellariidae, Laridae and Stercorariidae).

Methods

We collated a comprehensive global tracking dataset that included the migratory routes of 48 pelagic and long‐distance migrating seabird species across the Atlantic, Indian, Pacific and Southern Oceans. We grouped individuals that followed similar routes, independent of species or timings of migration, using a dynamic time warping clustering approach. We visualised the routes of each cluster using a line density analysis and used knowledge of seabird spatial ecology to combine the clusters to identify the broad‐scale flyways followed by most pelagic migratory seabirds tracked to‐date at an ocean‐basin scale.

Results

Six marine flyways were identified across the world's oceans: the Atlantic Ocean Flyway, North Indian Ocean Flyway, East Indian Ocean Flyway, West Pacific Ocean Flyway, Pacific Ocean Flyway and Southern Ocean Flyway. Generally, the flyways were used bidirectionally, and individuals either followed sections of a flyway, a complete flyway, or their movements linked two or more flyways. Transhemispheric figure‐of‐eight routes in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and a circumnavigation flyway in the Southern Ocean correspond with major wind‐driven ocean currents.

Main Conclusions

The marine flyways identified demonstrate that pelagic seabirds have similar and repeatable migration routes across ocean‐basin scales. Our study highlights the need to account for connectivity in seabird conservation and provides a framework for international cooperation.