Why do many seabirds have salt glands?

The story behind the answer

Many seabirds drink seawater, so they need a way to avoid dehydration from excess salt. Specialized salt glands above their eyes actively pump sodium and chloride from the bloodstream and expel a highly concentrated brine through the nostrils—often seen as “sneezed” droplets. This lets them maintain water balance even far from freshwater sources.

Think of these glands as built‑in desalinators: more efficient than kidneys at removing salt, producing solutions saltier than seawater. Gulls, albatrosses, and petrels rely on them during long ocean flights. Remember: not for buoyancy, toxins, or eggshells—salt glands are all about dumping salt so seabirds can safely drink the sea.