Talk:Atlantic puffin

Breeding

Added by Moomoop2: "The Atlantic Puffin is sexually mature at age 5-6 and breeding occurs for approximately 3 years. This bird incubates by holding the egg up to its brood patch with its wing." (1) Sexually mature at 5-6, yes, sure. (2) Breeding occurs for 3 years??? What does that mean? It's nonsense - they often live into their 20s. Deleted. (3) holds the egg against the brood patch with its wing? Sounds like nonsense. Any evidence? Meanwhile, I have deleted it. Gnusmas 13:00, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

well done - it really was moo poop! jimfbleak 13:51, 8 April 2006 (UTC)

I think I need to rewrite the entire thing. Some truths, much rubbish, with half-baked additions coming along frequently, and mostly very badly written. I guess it's a species with a high nonsense-attraction factor! It needs more than mere editing... I'll get around to it and do a complete new article soon. Gnusmas 07:45, 20 April 2006 (UTC)

Map

I'd like to see a map of the Atlantic puffin's range. Unfortunately, I have no experience in making that kind of map. --Gray Porpoise 03:07, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

Indeed it would be great. Here the IUCN map as a base, for anybody with the time and skills. --ELEKHH^T 20:01, 24 February 2012 (UTC)

External links

Repeated additions of the website devoted to the island of Runde have been removed because they are specifically about the puffin. See WP:EL. There are already plenty of photos on the article page not to require external links to a site purely bercuase of photos. --JBellis 17:53, 26 April 2004 (UTC)

The island of Runde is well known as the largest bird cliff of southern scandinavia. Thousands of people comming each year to visit the bird cliffs to see more than 100.000 pairs of puffins and much more species. I don't understand, why you deleded the link to this webside. Peoble who are interested about Puffins maybe also interested in other birds and like to know where they can find them. 89.49.113.170 13:56, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

Description of pictures : Adult - such a nonsens ! Sorry to say that. 89.49.113.170 15:37, 29 April 2007 (UTC)

Atlantic Puffin Exhibits?

Is it worth mentioning in the article that there are Atlantic Puffins on display at places like the National Aquarium in Baltimore (see here)? --Amanojyaku (talk) 20:57, 21 April 2007 (UTC)

No, unless a zoo collection is of particular importance, eg working on saving a highly threatened species, it's just another animal in another zoo Jimfbleak - talk to me? 19:36, 11 July 2012 (UTC)

¶ I would like to see some comment regarding the similarities (and the relation of Natural Selection) of the various penguins and puffins. The penguins, of course, are in the region of the South Pole and the puffins in the region of the North Pole but they have striking similarities that suggest parallel development. For example, the black backs and white chests enable them to hunt for fish by swimming -- their white chests tend to give them camouflage against the sky to fish that look upward at them, the black backs camouflage against the water to seabirds such as pelicans that look downward at them. The puffins can fly but not the penguins, although the penguins have this remarkable ability to leap out of the water. I wonder if anyone ever tried to interbreed them. Sussmanbern (talk) 06:16, 29 August 2012 (UTC)

Fratercula

Fratercula means "little brother".--Wetman (talk) 22:17, 26 October 2009 (UTC)

GA Review

This review is transcluded from Talk:Atlantic Puffin/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: Jimfbleak (talk · contribs) 06:32, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

Hi again, I'll work through this as and when I get time. Jimfbleak - talk to me? 06:32, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

General

• Lead is much too short for an article of this length, and doesn't adequately summarise the article, see Wikipedia:Manual of _Style/Lead section#Length

Expanded Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:45, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

• Images (not checked in detail yet). One of the flight images unnecessarily includes the article's title. What's the point of the gallery? If it doesn't serve a specific purpose, it shouldn't be there, Commons is the place for galleries (if you're worried about upsetting people, let me know and I'll swing the axe)

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

• Ref 13 lacks authors and page numbers, ref 51 is capitalised differently to the other journal refs

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

• "There once was a puffin" by Florence Page Jaques has been a favourite over the years. — what makes the reference for this a WP:RS?

Removed Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

• Any parasites? I can email you Rothschild & Clay Fleas, flukes and cuckoos if you want

Added Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:38, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

• There are a handful of duplicated links, Manx s/w, both skuas, herring, capelin, Lundy, N Sea, Isle of May, predation, monogamous.

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

Taxonomy

• looks OK, worth mentioning that Horned is the closest relative?

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:45, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

Description

• They and the large webbed feet — reads oddly

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

• link moult, fledging, plumage

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

Distribution

• OK, but para 3 overworks "birds", para 4 lower cases "puffin" twice when it should be capped

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

Life at sea

• first two lines repeat stuff from previous section.

Removed Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:45, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

• I see you've linked moult here, should have been at first use.

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:45, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

• just for interest, on the plumage pattern, I wondered if you have seen this (you don't need to refer to it)

Interesting Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:45, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

The colony

• Atlantic Puffins seem to think there is safety in numbers — Does your source actually claim to know what birds are thinking? Otherwise OK

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:45, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

Reproduction

• Incubation in a dark nesting burrow is a boring task — How do we know the puffins are bored? Sleeping is a logical thing to do when there is no facility to do much else, and I'm not sure that we know what they are thinking, or whether they are that self-aware

Removed Cwmhiraeth (talk) 13:45, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

Ecology

• No queries at present

Relationships with humans

• The puffin viewing sentence is unsourced, and I'm not clear why this site is singled out for special mention, as opposed to, say, the Farnes or Skomer. Personally I'd lose it.

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

• 20,000 square kilometres (7,700 sq mi) — obviously wrong, I think you have taken their minimum viable size criterion, actual range 1,620,000 km2
• depravations — depredations?

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

• Stamp image would be less intrusive on the right

Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:06, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

Well-researched, and generally pretty sound, the only major problem being the lead. I'll have another read when you have had time to digest the comments, I assume this will end up at FA? Jimfbleak - talk to me? 09:12, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

Thank you for taking on this review - yes, FAC is the objective. I'll work through your points in the next couple of days. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:09, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

• I've made these edits, please check
• Map. For FA you should add what your data source was for the mapping, and the base map you used

My outline for the range map came from Commons. The breeding range etc. came from my Boag & Alexander and I used my skills(?) with Paintshop Pro to add the information to the outline. How do I go about adding that information? Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:38, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

Just go to the Commons image page and add the relevant data here's one I made earlier Jimfbleak - talk to me? 19:56, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

Thanks. Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:40, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

• Images

• You could have the featured picture as the lead image, up to you

I prefer the present lead image. The FP looks like a stuffed puffin. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:38, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

• Puffins at Lunga isn't very good, is there a better colony image

Replaced. I found a whole lot of images that I hadn't discovered before. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:40, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

• I'm not sure about the licensing of puffin (2), the one with the beakful. If permission has been given, I would expect an OTRS ticket. You could leave it for now and see if it's challenged at FA

Changed anyway Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:40, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

• Refs

• Ref 5, I've added the page

Thanks Cwmhiraeth (talk) 06:11, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

• Ref 14 needs the editors and publisher of the 1905 book

Found a different source Cwmhiraeth (talk) 06:11, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

• Ref 24, should "Re-Estabishment" have the second capital?

No Cwmhiraeth (talk) 06:11, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

We are nearly there, I might do a couple of spot checks and have another look at the refs while I'm waiting for your responses Jimfbleak - talk to me? 18:23, 30 June 2013 (UTC)

GA review (see here for criteria)

1. It is reasonably well written.

   a (prose): b (MoS):

2. It is factually accurate and verifiable.

   a (references): b (citations to reliable sources): c (OR):

3. It is broad in its coverage.

   a (major aspects): b (focused):

4. It follows the neutral point of view policy.

   Fair representation without bias:

5. It is stable.

   No edit wars etc.:

6. It is illustrated by images, where possible and appropriate.

   a (images are tagged and non-free images have fair use rationales): b (appropriate use with suitable captions):

7. Overall:

   Pass/Fail:

Very solid, just a couple of suggestions before FA

Those parasites without article should either all be unlinked or all redlinked, it's likely that at FA you will be asked to redlink, so you might as well do it now (or write one-sentence stubs)

The current fashion at FA is to unlink continents and sovereign countries

If you need to find alternative/additional sources at any stage, always worth asking at the project page, I've got a decent collection of books, and some editors have university journal access

Good luck Jimfbleak - talk to me? 06:31, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

Thank you Jim for the review and advice. I've just written an article for the rabbit flea. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 08:35, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

I'm impressed! This is my most recent bug (there isn't much else about it that I can find, and there isn't even a family article} Jimfbleak - talk to me? 08:56, 1 July 2013 (UTC)

Capitalisation

It seems to me that when this bird is mentioned in the text as just a "puffin" (rather by its full name), the word should be lower-cased. As in, for example, the article Bald Eagle, which uses "eagle" throughout when not using the full name. Colonies Chris (talk) 16:12, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

I don't disagree with you, but having brought the article to FA and having been made to capitalise all the uses of the word puffin on the way, I think it best to leave them capitalised. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 20:49, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

Cereal

There is an American cereal line called Puffins that comes in several flavors. Is that worth mentioning? Brutannica (talk) 18:15, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

I suppose it could be added (properly referenced) to the "In culture" section but I am not enthusiastic! Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:32, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

What would that addition tell us about Atlantic Puffins? - absolutely nothing. Make additions that improve the article - we don't need trivia. Richerman (talk) 19:44, 3 April 2014 (UTC)

Wild Scotland

An editor (Paul venter) has added some information to the article Atlantic puffin derived from a TV documentary, referencing it to the TV show webpage although the facts referred to are not mentioned on the webpage. I removed this new information as being insufficiently cited but it has been replaced. The claim is about an unusual behaviour involving puffins and ravens, and I think it should only be included in the article if supported by a reliable source such as a research study. Other views on this would be welcome. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:15, 22 August 2014 (UTC)

Tricky. We do accept videos and TV programmes as sources, but I agree that it would be better if we could reference the behaviour to an academic source. The reference is inadequate as presented anyway. This sort of reference should give the episode and timing within the episode. It may be worth having a search to see if a better ref can be found, but I don't think it's currently acceptable without the required additional info. leave it for a day or two and I'll see what I can find. If it can't be verified, and the info isn't improved, I'll revert I'll revert Jimfbleak - talk to me? 11:09, 22 August 2014 (UTC)

File:Papageitaucher Fratercula arctica.jpg to appear as POTD

Hello! This is a note to let the editors of this article know that File:Papageitaucher Fratercula arctica.jpg will be appearing as picture of the day on August 20, 2015. You can view and edit the POTD blurb at Template:POTD/2015-08-20. If this article needs any attention or maintenance, it would be preferable if that could be done before its appearance on the Main Page. Thanks! — Chris Woodrich (talk) 02:05, 3 August 2015 (UTC)

Picture of the day

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a species of seabird in the auk family. The only puffin native to the Atlantic Ocean, it breeds in Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland and many North Atlantic islands. The species spends the autumn and winter in the open ocean, returning to coastal areas in late spring and nesting in clifftop colonies. The Atlantic puffin has a large population and a wide range, and is thus not considered endangered.Photograph: Richard Bartz

WP:URFA/2020

I have several concerns before marking this Satisfactory at WP:URFA:

• This is a 2002 source, and begs for an update or at least an as of date: They are still caught and eaten in Iceland and the Faroe Islands,[64]

• updated to 2021 Jimfbleak - talk to me? 14:48, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

• This source says it is not the latest assessment: is an update needed?

• updated Jimfbleak - talk to me? 14:48, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

• This is a 2011 source, is it current? ... but calls have been made for an outright ban on hunting them in Iceland because of concern over the dwindling number of birds successfully raising chicks.[65]

• Still permitted, tweaked to use same ref as for first bullet Jimfbleak - talk to me? 14:55, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

• And ... what happened? In August 2007, the Atlantic puffin was proposed as the official symbol of the Liberal Party of Canada by its deputy leader Michael Ignatieff, ...

• no sign that it happened, amended Jimfbleak - talk to me? 14:48, 7 April 2021 (UTC)

• There are incomplete citations and some WP:OVERLINKing.

• Jonesey95, could you take care of this? LittleJerry (talk) 00:13, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

SandyGeorgia (Talk) 17:25, 30 November 2020 (UTC)

Perhaps Jimfbleak could fix this? LittleJerry (talk) 23:12, 29 March 2021 (UTC)

LittleJerry, I'll have a look, but it may be next week before I get time, very busy in RL at present Jimfbleak - talk to me? 08:31, 30 March 2021 (UTC)

SandyGeorgia LittleJerry I've fixed the specific queries regarding old sources and updates, and removed a few bits of unsourced or inadequately sourced minor points. Jimfbleak - talk to me? 13:24, 15 April 2021 (UTC)

SandyGeorgia, I think the major issues have been addressed. LittleJerry (talk) 19:06, 21 April 2021 (UTC)

Another one on my list, will get to it ... as soon as I can :) SandyGeorgia (Talk) 22:01, 21 April 2021 (UTC)

@Jimfbleak and LittleJerry: marking satisfactory at URFA, but this citation is incomplete (needs a correct title, trans-title, lang and publisher):

• "LPO". Retrieved 31 August 2013.

Sorry for the delay! Best regards, SandyGeorgia (Talk) 18:35, 3 December 2021 (UTC)

SandyGeorgia, I don't think that's necessary since we are merely citing the main page of the charity so we can see the logo. I removed mention of it anyway. LittleJerry (talk) 20:46, 3 December 2021 (UTC)

Merger proposal

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section. A summary of the conclusions reached follows.

The result of this discussion was consensus to merge . D loaf (talk) 07:40, 23 March 2021 (UTC)

---

I'm proposing merging Faroese puffin into this article. That article is about Atlantic puffins as food and contains only a few pieces of information that are not already in this article's section on hunting or elsewhere in this article. Additionally, "Faroese puffin" does not appear to be a widely attested name for puffins as food. D loaf (talk) 04:46, 12 January 2021 (UTC)

• Support - I think this article already contains the info we need about the subject (and I'm saying that as probably one of the few editors here who has actually tasted it). FunkMonk (talk) 13:41, 28 January 2021 (UTC)
• Comment - I have no objection to the merger as long as it is carefully done so as not to lower the quality of the larger article. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 14:06, 28 January 2021 (UTC)

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Featured picture scheduled for POTD

Hello! This is to let editors know that File:Puffin (Fratercula_arctica).jpg, a featured picture used in this article, has been selected as the English Wikipedia's picture of the day (POTD) for November 30, 2023. A preview of the POTD is displayed below and can be edited at Template:POTD/2023-11-30. For the greater benefit of readers, any potential improvements or maintenance that could benefit the quality of this article should be done before its scheduled appearance on the Main Page. If you have any concerns, please place a message at Wikipedia talk:Picture of the day. Thank you!  — Amakuru (talk) 09:11, 29 November 2023 (UTC)

The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a species of seabird in the auk family and is the only puffin native to the Atlantic Ocean. It has a black crown and back, pale grey cheek patches and white underparts and its broad, boldly marked red and black beak and orange legs contrast with its otherwise sombre plumage. The Atlantic puffin spends the autumn and winter at sea, mainly in the North Atlantic, and returns to land at the start of the breeding season in late spring. Its breeding range includes the coasts of north west Europe, the Arctic fringes and eastern North America. It nests in clifftop colonies, each pair of birds choosing or digging a burrow in which a single white egg is laid. Incubation takes about six weeks and the chicks are fully fledged a similar time later. They then make their way at night to the sea, not returning to land for several years. Colonies are mostly on islands where there are no terrestrial predators, but both adult birds and newly fledged young are at risk of attacks from the air by gulls and skuas. The Atlantic puffin's striking appearance, large colourful bill, waddling gait and appealing behaviour have given rise to nicknames such as "clown of the sea" and "sea parrot". This Atlantic puffin was photographed on the northern coast of Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp

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