Because most species prefer slightly different nesting substrates, the birds stratify themselves along the cliffs. In the flatter areas near the top, puffins nest in burrows, glaucous-winged gulls build nests on wider ledges at or near the top, and guillemots prefer rocky crevices near the cliff base. The birds share not only nesting and feeding areas but the constant threat of predators as well. Bald eagles have nests in the area and commonly feed on eggs, young and occasionally adults. One summer when the kittiwake colony at Margerie Glacier was being observed carefully, an immature golden eagle was seen preying on the bird colony for most of the summer.
Ravens are always around, stealing eggs from all but the more determined gulls.
The predator causing the most consternation amongst the birds can be the peregrine falcon. The appearance of a falcon almost always causes the whole colony of kittiwakes to peel off the cliff nests and dive for the water. The falcon will dive on kittiwakes only while they're in the air so if they make it to the water they're safe, but usually one doesn't make it. In contrast to this confusion, the daily appearance of cruise ships and tour boats at the ice front seems to have little effect on most birds' nesting or feeding behavior. In fact, some birds feed in the wake of cruise ships, where turbulence brings food species to the surface.