A path forward in the investigation of seabird strandings attributed to light attraction

A variety of anthropogenic threats cause mortality and population declines of procellariiform seabirds. Globally, fledglings of many colonial procellariiforms become stranded in towns and cities during their first flights from the nest, which occur at night. Since the 1960s, when the phenomenon became widely known, these strandings have been largely attributed to attraction toward artificial lights at night (ALAN). Artificial light attraction has been blamed due to the predictable, annual nature of strandings; the large numbers of birds found in lighted areas during stranding events; and the inexperience of fledglings in interpreting sensory stimuli. However, up-to-date, few alternative hypotheses to that of light attraction have been suggested, and few if any have been explored experimentally. In this paper, we do not seek to refute the light attraction hypothesis. Instead, our objectives are threefold. We wish to (1) highlight the current evidence for light attraction in procellariiforms; (2) identify where evidence may be lacking or subject to confirmation bias; and (3) suggest alternative hypotheses and possible experimental approaches to study them. Given the imperiled nature of many of the affected species and the need to explore and address this source of mortality, our goal in this review is to accelerate and diversify research efforts on this topic.