Biology
Olfactory Foraging and Chemical Ecology in Procellariiform Seabirds
Quick fact
Procellariiform seabirds—such as albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters—have some of the largest olfactory bulbs (relative to body size) of any bird, and they can detect the scent of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a gas produced by phytoplankton when grazed, guiding them to productive feeding areas.
Why this is interesting
Imagine flying for hours over a vast, featureless ocean with no visual landmarks—how would you find food? Some seabirds don't rely on eyesight; they follow their nose across thousands of kilometers.