Fratercula arctica, Puffin of Iceland cover photo - 118210967

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Cover photo description:
Fratercula arctica; no doubt the puffin is one of the top photo models in bird photography! The colorful heavy beak and the white face is so characteristic that it cannot be confused with any other species. Note that it has red legs and feet like the black guillemots but unlike all other auks of the region. A characteristic feature of the puffins contrary to other auks is their `at rest` position. They usually stand upright on their feet. Other auks usually sit on their lower legs. Also, the puffin can walk much better than other auks. It is the most common sea bird of Iceland. Like other auks they breed in colonies. One egg is laid generally in burrows on the boundary of rock and turf layers but also in other protected spots. Apart form being common in Iceland they are common throughout the Atlantic. It is quite surprising that this bird is so little shy towards humans as their colonies have been `harvested` for centuries. Puffins are any of three small species of alcids auks in the bird genus Fratercula with a brightly coloured beak during the breeding season. These are pelagic seabirds that feed primarily by diving in the water. They breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs or offshore islands, nesting in crevices among rocks or in burrows in the soil.

alcids arctica atlantic auks beak bird birds black boundary breed breeding brightly burrows centuries cliffs coastal colonies colorful coloured crevices diving egg feathers feed feet flying fowl fratercula genus guillemots iceland islands laid legs little lower nature nesting offshore pelagic photo primarily protected puffin puffins red rock rocks sea seabirds season shy small species spots stand three turf upright walk water white wildlife wings