The Atlantic impasse is a funny bird with an unusual name and no less remarkable appearance. Despite the apparent clumsiness, the puffins are excellent swimmers and spend most of their time hunting. It may seem that these birds are close relatives of penguins, because there definitely are some similarities in appearance. In fact, the dead end consists in the family of purebreds (Charadriiformes).
Our article will tell about the life of this unusual bird.
External Features of the Dead End
The unusual name of the bird was not at all due to mediocre mental abilities, but due to the shape of the beak. It resembles a blunt ax or other chopping tool. Along with scientific, a popular name is also quite common. Residents of coastal regions call the dead end a sea parrot - of course, also because of its outstanding appearance.
But the beak is not the only "trick" of the appearance of this bird. No less attention should be paid to the eyes. Looking at them, one can seriously believe that the bird is seriously saddened by something. In fact, this is not emotion at all, but simply a feature of the appearance that absolutely every Atlantic impasse possesses. A profile photo of this bird best demonstrates an unusual look.
Sexual demorphism at puffins is weakly expressed, only an experienced ornithologist can distinguish a male from a female. The birds of both sexes have a gray-black color, against which bright orange beaks and yellow spots on the cheeks stand out.
The Atlantic puffin, whose size rarely exceeds 30 cm, weighs an average of 500 grams. The wingspan of this bird can reach half a meter.
Where do dead ends live?
The whole life of this bird is connected with the sea. The Atlantic impasse is found off the coast of northern Europe, in many regions of Iceland, on the Faroe Islands, and also on the other side of the Atlantic, on the east coast of the North American continent. There is evidence that this bird can be found beyond the Arctic Circle.
Everyday life
Atlantic impasse - freedom-loving bird. Deadlock spends most of his adult life alone. But before the mating season, the population gathers to build nests and create families.
In other periods, almost all the time, free from sleep, a dead end devotes to hunting. These birds not only fly great, but are also excellent swimmers.
Dead Sea Nutrition
As you can easily guess, the diet is also associated with the sea. Fish, crustaceans, mollusks fall into the dead end menu. The Atlantic impasse gets food thanks to the hunting skills that it receives in youth. Favorite treat of dead ends is loach fish.
Mating season and breeding
In March-April, dead ends flock to nests. They will meet the mating season here. Females and males of dead ends get to know each other, begin to rub against each other, thus expressing their sympathy. By the end of spring, the beaks of the blind alleys will change color from orange to bright red. This is a clear signal of readiness to start a family.
As a rule, new couples are independently engaged in arranging nests. But in rare cases, they can return to last year’s houses or take one of the empty ones.
For birds of this species mating unions with a life span are characteristic. Dead ends rarely change partners. However, when the mating season is over and the kids are strong enough, the parental couple will part. Each of them will live alone until next spring, to meet again to arrange a new nest.
In the vast majority of cases, the female brings one egg. Both partners are engaged in hatching, replacing each other. The hatching period averages 40 days.
The dead end father takes part in the upbringing of the chick. Parents hunt in turn, earning food for themselves, their partner and the baby.
Almost from the first days, chicks are taught to swim. It is noteworthy that during the day, puffins prefer to hide offspring from natural enemies in the folds of coastal cliffs. For lessons in swimming, babies are brought out in the dark. In this mode, the life of babies takes the first month and a half. And when this period expires, parents leave the nest, leaving already able to hunt, fly and swim offspring in solitude. Such a seemingly harsh school of life goes through every young Atlantic impasse.
Interesting Facts
Scientists have long noticed some features in the behavior and lifestyle of these birds. For example, a couple preparing to become parents often digs a hole in the rocky terrain, far exceeding both its size and the dimensions of all enemies in the natural environment. In a 2-meter-deep mink, nothing threatens the baby.
And the next ability of the dead end could be envied by many divers. Under water, this bird is able to move at speeds up to 20 km / h. And the maximum immersion depth of the dead end reaches 70 meters! One could call water the native element of the Atlantic impasse, but in the sky this bird feels no less confident. A 100 km trip is a common thing for a sea parrot. In this case, the bird easily tolerates cold.
Natural enemies
The Atlantic impasse is a welcome prey for many neighbors. A lot of birds of prey live near the nests of the sea parrot: eagles, hawks, skuas, polar owls. They encroach on dead ends, and especially young growth, even large gulls.
Some dangerous enemies especially like eggs and babies. That’s why such imposing burrows dig dead-ends, that's why the nestlings hide in the daytime.
Human factor
Currently, the impasse is absolutely no industrial interest for humans. Neither meat, nor feathers or down of this bird are considered valuable.
But human activities at sea have an indirect effect. Environmental pollution, as well as industrial catch of loach has a detrimental effect on the populations of these birds.