The streaked shearwater is an amazing seabird that spends most of its life at sea. Each day, it goes on long flights over the ocean, a behavior known as foraging. This is how it finds fish and other seafood for itself and its family.
These birds follow a very regular pattern. While they are foraging, their bodies work very quickly. To stay light enough for their long journey, they are constantly shedding weight. They do this by digesting their food and pooping very, very often.
This process might sound funny, but it is very important for the shearwater's survival. Losing weight continuously allows the bird to fly for hundreds of kilometers without getting too tired. It is a special adaptation for a life spent soaring over the waves.
Imagine losing about five percent of your body weight every hour! That's what these birds do. This incredible cycle of eating and shedding weight helps them travel far and wide to find the best feeding spots in the vast ocean.