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Love on the Cliff Tops

Male and female razorbills during the mating season. This North Atlantic seabird spends most of its life at sea and only comes to land to breed. It chooses one partner for life and lays one egg along coastal cliffs in enclosed or slightly exposed crevices. This pair was photographed on one of the Farne Islands, off the northeast coast of England.

 

It bears a resemblance to penguins, and like them uses its powerful wings as paddles when diving under water, sometimes to depths of 330 feet. With its shape razor-like upper beak, it is able to grasp tightly hold of fish, as well as defending itself against predators

 

Presently, it faces major threats, including overfishing, loss of breeding sites and pollution of the seas.

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Uploaded on August 2, 2024
Taken on June 19, 2017