Viral Video Shows a Cliff Diver Landing Directly on Seabird Flying Below

As a seabird, you are used to looking out for humans below you but not from above! This bird must’ve had the fright of its life as a human smashed into it sweeping it into the sea. What are the chances of this happening? Click below to see the full incredible video.

Watch the Unbelievable Footage Below

What Are Seabirds?

Seabirds are a diverse group of birds that all depend on the marine environment for their survival. They spend most of their life either at sea or along the coast. Most of them have special adaptations that allow them to survive in this often hostile environment. Many sea birds only come to land to breed. Special adaptions can include wing shape, salt glands, and special plumage. Generally, they have denser plumage to protect them from the cold temperatures and water.

In the country where the clip was filmed, the native seabirds include petrels and shearwaters as well as gannets and cormorants to name just a few. Scotland is also an important location for skuas, gulls, terns, and auks. In total, twenty-four species of seabird regularly breed in Scotland.

Are Seabirds Important in Scotland?

Yes, very much so. Scotland is an area of international importance when it comes to seabird breeding. An incredible 56 percent of the world’s breeding colonies of great skua and 16 percent of the world’s breeding population of Manx shearwaters are in Scotland!

What Are the Threats to Seabirds?

The breeding colonies of seabirds are under pressure. Climate change is causing storm events that kill many seabirds. Rising sea levels affect low-lying nests and the reduction in prey caused by rising sea temperatures affects survival.

The abundance of prey is also affected by over-fishing. However, one of the most devastating impacts has been the introduction of invasive mammals. In particular, brown rats, cats, and American mink have caused huge problems for Scottish seabird colonies.

Finally, marine pollution has a significant impact on many animals including native seabirds. This can be a range of materials associated with human activity including oil, heavy metals, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and general litter. It seems that getting hit by a cliff jumper is the least of these birds’ problems!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Evgenyi_Eg