Fulmars, shearwaters, albatrosses, and petrels all belong to the Procellariiformes order, which refers to the 'tube-nose' structure they have on their beaks. These birds are almost exclusively pelagic birds, spending much of the year roaming the open oceans and only returning to shore to breed. Most species in this group form monogamous, lifelong partnerships as adults, and will return to the same colony year after year to raise a single chick each year.
The tube-nose structure is likely important in tracking prey resources over long distances in the oceans. Despite appearances, prey distributions in the open oceans can be extremely patchy with some areas being particularly good foraging spots and others being the equivalent of ocean deserts. Finding food in this vast realm also requires these birds to be highly efficient flyers (note their stiff, outstretched wings) and will use surface waves to generate lift as they glide over the ocean surface.