A common food source for many seabird species is which marine organism?

• A. Insects
• B. Seeds
• C. Fish
• D. Plankton

Answer: (C)

Seabirds rely on high-energy prey that is easy to catch in the ocean, and fish fit that role especially well. In the open sea, fish often form dense, predictable schools near the surface, making them accessible to diving and surface-feeding seabirds. This abundant and energy-rich prey supports the birds’ daily energy needs, migration, and breeding.

While insects, seeds, or plankton can be part of some birds’ diets in other contexts, they don’t provide the same reliable energy payoff for most seabirds. Insects are typically terrestrial or nearshore, seeds come from plants, and planktonic organisms, though eaten by some marine creatures, generally don’t offer as much energy per bite as fish. That combination of accessibility and high energy is what makes fish the most common food source for many seabird species.