Alcidae
The family Alcidae or Auks as they are known in Europe all breed
in the Northern Hemisphere. They are small, rather dumpy birds that fly
with rapid wing beats and use their wings to swim underwater. True
seabirds they come to land to breed in large colonies and then disburse
to the open ocean for most of their lives. We see them as pelagics in
winter plumage from late fall to early spring. Six species are found in
the north Atlantic. Two of which are restricted to the Atlantic:
Razorbills and Atlantic Puffin. Two more are easier to see on the
Atlantic side: Black Guillemot and Dovekie. These four species are
considered New England specialities.
» Habitat:Stream and river banks in the Tabonuco, Palm and Palo Colorado forest types.
» Discription: swim well underwater using their flapping wings to propel them under the surface and their feet to maneuver.
» Their bodies, similar in shape to the flightless Penguins, are
wonderful for diving and swimming but clumsy in the air. Taking off from
land, a Puffin may jump from a cliff to get enough lift to fly.
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