Northern Fulmar [Fulmarus glacialis]
Description
The Northern Fulmar, also known as Arctic Fulmar, is a highly pelagic seabird that spends most of its life at sea. It is characterized by its thick, stubby bill with a tube on top, which is used to excrete excess salt. Its plumage can be either light (white body with grey wings) or dark (entirely grey). The Northern Fulmar is known for its distinctive, foul-smelling stomach oil, which it can project at predators when disturbed. It feeds mainly on shrimp, squid, fish, and marine invertebrates. This species breeds on cliffs, laying a single white egg.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Birds
Aves
|
| Order |
Albatrosses, Petrels, and Shearwaters
Procellariiformes
|
| Family |
Shearwaters and Petrels
Procellariidae
|
| Genus |
Northern Fulmars
Fulmarus
|