The marine distribution of seabirds from Christmas Island, Indian Ocean

Abstract

The distributions at sea of the eight seabird species that breed on Christmas Island were documented during four surveys in the eastern Indian Ocean. Common Noddies and Brown Boobies were seen only within 200–250 km of the island, whereas Red-footed Boobies occurred up to 800–900 km away. The endemic Abbott’s Boobies probably feed over the South Java Current. The two species of frigatebirds were recorded over 700 km from Christmas Island, one species possibly much farther, and the two species of tropicbirds up to 1500 km from the island.