Click on the links below each picture to read about each bird species, including identification tips, life history, and a glossary. This is provided by the the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center,* sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior. Some listings include a picture of the bird's egg, a recording of its calls and/or a distribution map.

These seabirds all nest on Maine islands from mid-May to early August. That's why seabird islands are closed to the public from April 1 to August 31, to minimize disturbance to the nesting birds and their young.

*Gough, G.A., Sauer, J.R., Iliff, M. Patuxent Bird Identification Infocenter. 1998. Version 97.1. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://wwwmbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/infocenter.html