Wikipedia:Peer review/Seabird/archive1

Seabird

I've been working on this one since January, and think it would one day make a great subject for featured article status. What it needs now is some fresh eyes to spot what I've missed, what needs tightening up, what needs a damn good kicking etc etc. So, let me know! Sabine's Sunbird 22:02, 3 Apr 2005 (UTC)

• I'm not sure what the second sentence of the "Seabird migration" section is supposed to say. The section on "Plunge-diving" is quite short, and should probably be expanded or merged into "Pursuit diving". I suggest that the phrase "They are what they eat" be removed from "Seabird feeding"; it's a cliché. Also, I'd suggest adding a section on what seabirds do on freshwater - I know a number of types spend significant amounts of time on rivers and marshes and the like (loons, grebes, etc.). Other than that, I don't see too many problems, though I have a hunch that this might not be comprehensive enough for a topic this broad. I'll try to think of things that might be added. Good job with this! --Spangineer ∞ 04:15, Apr 4, 2005 (UTC)
  • The section on "Plunge-diving" is quite short Fixed. I suggest that the phrase "They are what they eat" be removed Done, but dubiously. I rather liked it. I'm not sure what the second sentence of the Seabird migration Re-worded, if you can clarify it better than go for it (I struggled with it first time to be honest. Also, I'd suggest adding a section on what seabirds do on freshwater Eeek, good call, (but to be honest I have reservations about saying too much about loons and grebes, great birds and all but not, to my mind, seabirds.) I'll work on that and put it in. Thanks for the comments! Sabine's Sunbird 05:31, 4 Apr 2005 (UTC)
• I agree with you on the loons and grebes thing – when I first saw that they were included in the definition of "seabird" I was somewhat surprised. Even so, if most scientists include them, then I think there needs to be a section describing the "seabirds" that spend alot of time on freshwater. I'm still not happy with "crossing the equator from the spend the Austral summer of Antarctica" but I looked at it and I can't immediately come up with something that sounds good, so I'll think about it some more. Perhaps "crossing the equator in order to spend the Austral summer in Antarctica"? --Spangineer ∞ 13:11, Apr 4, 2005 (UTC)
  • Hmm, Now that I think about it, for research purposes loons and grebes are often treated as waterbirds, not seabirds. It's all kind of arbitary, many gulls and cormorants spend their life away from the sea yet are lumped in with seabirds, and all loons and many grebes winter at sea. I'll re-word that section later as well. I've changed the Arctic Tern bit as per your suggestion, much better. Thanks for the comments Sabine's Sunbird 15:06, 4 Apr 2005 (UTC)
    • Added requested section on seabirds away from the sea. let me know what else this needs (I'm researching a possible section of Seabird research and seabirds and climate Sabine's Sunbird 01:31, 11 Apr 2005 (UTC)
• Great work. My only concern now is that we don't find out until the end of the article what types of birds are included in the definition of "seabird" – could that at least be mentioned in the lead? Maybe a sentence or two, plus a mention of why they are difficult to categorize. I think it's ok to leave the "seabird family" section at the bottom. Also, good ideas for future sections. --Spangineer ∞ 03:34, Apr 13, 2005 (UTC)
  • Done. I moved the blurb to the begining and it sits better there. I also took out some of the not-particularly seabirdy birds from the list, as per one of my texts, but left the fact that they are sometimes considered seabirds in the actual text. Sabine's Sunbird 00:27, 14 Apr 2005 (UTC)