Northern rockhopper penguin mice ("Mus musculus") have been introduced into their environment by human sea expeditions. The mice have proven to be invasive, and consume northern rockhopper eggs, as well as hunt their young. In order to preserve the birds, a culling of the mice is being considered. The northern rockhopper penguin is classified as endangered because of the decline in numbers over the last three generations (or 30 years). Population Trends by Year and Island On March 16, 2011, the Maltese-registered freighter MS "Oliva" ran aground on Nightingale Island, spilling tons of heavy crude into the ocean. The crew was rescued, but
Bird flight Bird flight Bird flight is the primary mode of locomotion used by most bird species in which birds take off and fly. Flight assists birds while feeding, breeding, avoiding predators, and migrating. Bird flight is one of the most complex forms of locomotion in the animal kingdom. Each facet of this type of motion, including hovering, taking off, and landing, involves many complex movements. As different bird species have adapted to specific environments, prey, predators, and other needs, they have developed varied forms of wings and varied forms of flight. Research into how birds fly has yielded various theories as