Thick-billed Murre in summer plumage. This bird was laying on the beach at Sandy Hook in February nearly dead.
Sandy Hook, NJ
Razorbills (and a few Puffins)
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Razorbill
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Razorbill
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Razorbill
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffins flying past with the Machias Seal Island Lighthouse in the background.
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffins on the blinds.
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin chick: Its nest was just under the blind and it came out to look around. Normally Puffins nest in burrows they dig in the dirt. Since Machias Seal Island is basically a pile of rocks, the Puffins nest in holes between the rocks.
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Immature Atlantic Puffin: This one is probably one year old. During the winter the outer parts of the beaks on adult Puffins fall off and they similar to this. Notice the metal band on its ankle.
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffin
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffins: The Puffins below are participating in a courtship display. They're clicking their beaks together.
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffins: These Puffins are not just looking up in casual interest. A landing Puffin does not have much control. They tend to overshoot, crash into other birds, or just crash into the side of a rock. Their small wings are a compromise between flying through the air and flying under water. Because of their small wings they have to fly fast to get lift, so when they come in for a landing they use every available part of their body to slow down, including their feet.
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada
Atlantic Puffins: And just before they land they swing their feet forward.
Machias Seal Island, NB, Canada