Birds and hunting
There are a multitude of different bird species to be found in the Mediterranean Sea. Some are migratory, while others stay on land most of the time. Among them is the gull, a typical coastal bird that can be described as lazy. Gulls only go out to sea when pelagic fish are present and they don't have to work too hard to catch their meal. Generally speaking, they won't move if the game isn't worth the effort.
Other birds, such as the black-headed gull and the grey shearwater, are much better hunters, and their highly developed eyesight enables them to spot activity at very long distances. Black-headed kittiwakes are usually found close to shore on mackerel, redfish and pelagic hunts, while little shearwaters can be spotted far offshore, particularly on tuna hunts.
Cetaceans
The cetaceans most frequently encountered in the Mediterranean are undoubtedly dolphins. They feed mainly on fish and cephalopods, and are easy to spot as they need to surface to breathe. In the Mediterranean, unlike some other seas or oceans, seeing dolphins is by no means a sign of a good fishing trip. Their echolocation means of communication make them audible from a great distance to fish, which will instantly flee for fear of ending up as a meal. But it's still a great encounter, and not uncommon when you're a little further from the coast.
Fin whales and sperm whales are other cetaceans encountered from time to time. They have little impact on fish activity, but are rather indicators of a food-laden current. Moonfish, swordfish and tuna are also frequently seen in the same area.
Hunting birds
Unlike gulls and seagulls, hunting birds actively seek out their food without waiting for fish to bring forage to the surface. The best known of these is the cormorant, a true predator that dives to depths of over 10 meters and is capable of impressive speeds. Unfortunately, this is rarely a good sign, as this efficient hunter will quickly take the fish for you. In winter, they are present in huge numbers and wreak havoc along the coast.
Two other frequently encountered species, which are normally more visible in freshwater, are the grey heron and the kingfisher. The heron generally waits motionless for prey to pass, while the kingfisher spots prey from a height and dives for it.
