Friday, July 8, 2011

Puffins from both Coasts

These are the Atlantic Puffins with a Razorbill to the left of the picture and an Arctic Tern flying by in the background.  Who rules this roost?  These are juvenile as their cheeks are gray.

These are called "Sea Parrots" and you can see why.

This one is the Tufted Puffin.  You will find these on the west coast.  This is one of my favorite pictures.  I took it six years ago when we were in Oregon. 

Here are some facts about puffins:
1.  They live 25 to 30 years.
2.  It takes puffins five years to mature and begin breeding.
3.  The female lays only one egg a year.
4.  From the time puffins first leave the nest they may not touch land again for two or three years.
5.  Puffins can dive at least 150 feet deep.
6.  They can hold up to 28 fish in their parrotlike beaks.
7.  The birds are about the size of a pigeon.
8.  Puffins nest in colonies in burrows or rock cavities from April to August.


1 comment:

  1. These little guys are cute!
    We're looking forward to seeing ya'll next week.
    (Wonderful pictures!)
    Teri

    ReplyDelete