Auks, Murres, Guillemots, and Puffins

The Alcidae are sturdy seabirds with short wings, specially adapted for chasing fish and small sea creatures underwater. They use their wings to "fly" below the surface, pushing themselves forward with strong strokes and steering with their feet. On land, they stand upright, similar to penguins. Most of these birds nest in groups, often choosing sea cliffs, rocky islands, and piles of stones around northern coasts. In British waters, alcids are mainly found along the northern and western shores, with large breeding groups in Scotland, Wales, and northern England. Outside the breeding season, many alcids spread out across the open sea. You can tell different species apart by the shape and colour of their bills, the patterns of their feathers, especially on the head and neck. Several species also change their feather colours dramatically between the breeding season and winter.