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Atlantic Puffin

on 13th March 2017

PuffinAtlantic@ FarneIsland [NeoNg]

Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) are found in the North Atlantic Ocean (above). These are stocky birds with black back and white belly. Their large and prominent bills are colourful during the breeding season and dull after as the outer colourful parts are shed.

PuffinAtlantic@ FarneIsland [NeoNg]

They spend the winter at sea, returning to land to breed in late March to early April. Once on land, they return to their old burrows. Some nest in cavities found on coastal cliffs (above).

PuffinAtlantic@ FarneIsland [NeoNg]

During this breeding period the prominent large bill becomes colourful. The male’s bill is larger, brighter and prominently ridged. Courtship involves billing and cooing, with the pair (above) touching bills (below), even gently nibbling each other’s head and neck feathers. The pair may even clatter their bills together.

PuffinAtlantic ct  [NeoNg]

A single egg is laid in the nest.

PuffinAtlantic@ FarneIsland [NeoNg].

Puffins come ashore with fish in their bills, signals the hatching of the eggs in the burrows (above). They fish in the sea, catching fish one by one and arranging them sideways along the length of the bill. Up to 20 small fish can be thus arranged (below).

PuffinAtlantic@ FarneIsland [NeoNg]

Neo Ng
Hong Kong
19th February 2017

This post is a cooperative effort between Birds, Insects N Creatures Of Asia and BESG to bring the study of birds and their behavior through photography and videography to a wider audience.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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