Technological innovation in marine ornithology

The founders of the at-sea study of marine birds were scientists who had the oppor- tunity to go to sea on cruises designed for other purposes. Likewise, the first studies of seabirds in colonies were parts of larger expeditions or programs. Data were obtained by direct observation and manual recording in the field. With the advent of the miniaturization of electronics, data acquisition has become largely automated, the types of questions addressed are more sophisti- cated, and the analysis of large data sets has greatly advanced. As the field has matured, at-sea observations have become collaborative efforts between ornithologists and traditional oceanogra- phers, and colony studies have begun to address fundamental questions of evolution and ecology. The continued development of devices that reveal the behavior and physiology of free ranging birds provides exciting opportunities for the expansion of marine ornithology.