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Data and code from: Sea ice perturbation and mass starvation of Thick-billed Murres

Day, Alex1; Burt, Tori1; Collins, Sydney1; Ward, Christopher2; Wilhelm, Sabina2; Cyr, Frederic1; Baker, Meghan3; Montevecchi, William1

Research facility: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Published Dec 22, 2025 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.9kd51c5x7

Data files

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Abstract

During spring 2022, thousands of Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia) died on the southern Labrador and northeastern Newfoundland coasts. Location and timing of the event were compiled from public sources, including social media and institutions. Some retained carcasses were dissected and compared to healthy birds. The rapid-onset, five-week event lasted from March 18 to April 25, 2022, emanating from an impact site in southern Labrador. Extreme winds compacted and reduced sea ice area, which exposed sub-zero water temperatures and limited feeding options. Dissections were performed to determine body condition and demographics of birds affected. Neither sex nor age was associated with mortality, and a subset of carcasses tested negative for influenza A. Carcass masses averaged 65.5 % of the body mass of healthy birds, indicative of a threshold for stage III starvation (protein catabolism). Photographs and measurements showed significant pectoral muscle wasting, and pectoral mass was less than that of healthy birds. The probable cause of the die-off is starvation accelerated by a rapid drop in water temperature and limited foraging options driven by a sea-ice perturbation. Ocean-climatic variability and extreme events are expected to increase, posing challenges for polar seabirds.