Monday 15 August 2016

Atlantic Puffin: Clown of the Sea

The Atlantic puffin, nicknamed the sea parrot, breeds in Iceland, Norway, Greenland and Newfoundland.  It has a black crown and back, pale grey cheek patches and white underparts, along with a red and orange beak and orange legs. 'The striking appearance, large colourful bill, waddling gait and behaviour of this bird have given rise to nicknames such as "clown of the sea" and "sea parrot" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_puffin).  On land, the puffin walks like an auk.  In the water it swims on the surface and eats small fish.  It lives in colonies typically found on islands free from terrestrial predators.  The Atlantic puffin serves as the official bird of Newfoundland and Labrador.




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