Elkhorn Slough winds through wetlands near Moss Landing on California’s central coast, drawing visitors eager to spot sea otters floating on their backs. On a recent tour, passengers watched one otter grasp a common loon and begin to feed, an act that quickly replaced the usual sense of delight with quiet surprise. The behavior stands out because sea otters are widely known for dining on invertebrates that help maintain healthy kelp forests and eelgrass beds.
A Shift in the Menu
Sea otters belong to the weasel family, and some members of that group have long taken birds when the opportunity arises. In Elkhorn Slough the pattern has reappeared in recent years, with sightings increasing since 2022. Tour operators and local naturalists now recognize at least two individuals that regularly pursue seabirds rather than sticking to crabs or clams. One otter has earned the nickname Birdadette. Another, sometimes called the Birderer, has been seen wrestling loons and cormorants on its chest before consuming them. The acts remain uncommon overall, yet they occur often enough in this busy waterway that boat crews and volunteers have begun tracking them.
What Researchers Are Seeing
Michelle Steadler, a sea otter biologist with decades of experience, notes that the behavior may be learned from a mother or simply reflect individual preference. She points out that only a small number of otters appear involved, and most continue to forage on invertebrates. Sofie Scanlon, a naturalist with the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, has witnessed the events roughly ten times during weekly tours and describes watching an otter roll a large bird on its chest until a wing surfaced. Both observers emphasize that the slough’s high level of human activity makes these incidents more visible than they might be elsewhere. Daily boat tours, kayakers, and monitoring programs mean any unusual foraging draws immediate attention. The otters themselves show no signs of distress and continue to thrive in the estuary.
Why the Behavior Matters
Elkhorn Slough supports nearly one hundred sea otters, many descended from animals rescued and released by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Their usual diet helps protect eelgrass meadows by controlling crab populations, which in turn benefits the hundreds of bird species that use the wetland. When a few otters add seabirds to their meals, the change remains localized and does not appear to threaten overall bird numbers. Biologists continue to document the incidents in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are interested in whether the behavior spreads through social learning or stays limited to particular animals. For now, the pattern serves as a reminder that even well-studied species can reveal new habits when conditions allow.
Visiting the Slough
Travelers who join guided tours on the slough often hope for classic otter views. Those same outings now occasionally include the rarer sight of an otter with a bird. Guides treat the moments as teaching opportunities, explaining that sea otters remain protected and that their presence continues to support the broader health of the estuary. The episodes underscore how adaptable these marine mammals can be while living alongside people. Observers leave with a fuller picture of the animals that have become symbols of coastal recovery in California.
