Effect of water clarity on the distribution of marine birds in nearshore waters of Monterey Bay, California

The distribution of marine birds relative to water clarity was examined in the nearshore waters of Monterey Bay, California. I conducted nine at-sea surveys in 1999 and 2000 and simultaneously recorded water clarity and the density of five taxa of marine birds. Among plunge-divers, Forster's Terns (Sterna forsteri) occurred more frequently than expected over turbid water (< 2.5 m Secchi depth) and, among pursuit-diving species, Brandt's Cormorants (Phalacrocorax penicillatus) occurred most often in the clearest water available (> 5 m Secchi depth). Turbidity in Monterey Bay may be caused by suspended organic matter, including phytoplankton, during summer and fall. Forster's Tern may prefer such areas because small fish are likely to occur near this potential food source. Brandt's Cormorants probably rely on vision to catch fish near the bottom and turbid water may reduce available light and limit visual acuity. The distribution of Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), Western/Clark's Grebes (Aechmophorus occidentalis/clarkii), and Marbled Murrelets (Brachyramphus marmoratus) did not appear to be influenced by turbidity levels, indicating that some seabirds use marine habitats with a wide range of water clarities.