Atlantic impasse: features, interesting facts

The Atlantic impasse is a funny bird with an unusual name and no less remarkable appearance. Despite the apparent awkwardness, dead ends are excellent swimmers and spend most of the time hunting. It may seem that these birds are close relatives of penguins, because in appearance there is definitely some similarity. In fact, the impasse is in the family of the Chistikovs (the order of the Charadriiformes).

Our article will tell you about the life of this unusual bird.

External features of the impasse

An unusual name for the bird was not at all because of mediocre mental abilities, but thanks to the shape of the beak. It resembles a dull ax or other chopping tool. Along with the scientific, the popular name is quite common. The inhabitants of the coastal regions call the impasse a sea parrot - of course, also because of its outstanding appearance.

But the beak is not the only "trick" of the external appearance of this bird. The eyes deserve no less attention. Looking at them, you can seriously believe that the bird is in some way saddened by something. In fact, it's not an emotion, it's just a feature of appearance, which is absolutely every Atlantic dead end. The photo of this bird in the profile best shows an unusual look.

Sexual demorphism in dead endings is poorly expressed, it is possible to distinguish a male from a female only by an experienced ornithologist. Birds of both sexes have a gray-black color, against which stand bright orange beaks and yellow spots on the cheeks.

The Atlantic impasse, whose size rarely exceeds 30 cm, weighs in average 500 grams. The wingspan of this bird can reach half a meter.

Where do deadlocks live?

The whole life of this bird is connected with the sea. The Atlantic impasse is found off the coasts of northern Europe, in many regions of Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and also across the Atlantic - on the east coast of the North American continent. There are reports that this bird can be found beyond the Arctic Circle.

Everyday life

The Atlantic impasse is a freedom-loving bird. For most of adulthood the dead end is spent alone. But before the onset of the mating season, the population is going to build nests and create families.

In the remaining periods, almost all the time, free from sleep, a dead end devotes to hunting. These birds not only fly well, but also are excellent swimmers.

Power supply of sea deadlock

As you can easily guess, the diet is also associated with the sea. In the dead end menu, fish, crustaceans, mollusks fall. The Atlantic impasse produces food thanks to hunting skills, which it receives back in his youth. A favorite delicacy of dead ends is the fish loach.

Marriage period and breeding

In March-April, the impasse flies into the nests. They will meet the marriage period right here. Male and female dead ends get acquainted, begin to rub against each other, thus expressing their sympathy. By the end of spring, the beaks of the dead ends will change the color from orange to bright red. This is a clear signal of willingness to start a family.

As a rule, new couples are independently engaged in settling nests. But in rare cases, they can return to last year's houses or take one of the deserted ones.

For the birds of this species, marriages lasting a lifetime are characteristic. Dead ends rarely change partners. However, when the mating season is over and the kids are strong enough, the parent couple part. Each of them will live alone until the next spring, to meet again to equip a new nest.

In most cases, the female brings one egg. Sitting is done by both partners, replacing each other. The incubation period is on average 40 days.

A dead father also participates in the upbringing of a chick. Parents alternately hunt, procuring food for themselves, the partner and the baby.

Practically from the first days the chicks are taught to swim. It is noteworthy that in the daytime dead ends prefer to hide offspring from natural enemies in the folds of coastal rocks. For lessons on swimming, babies are taken out at night. In such a regime, the life of the children proceeds for the first month and a half. And when this term expires, the parents leave the nest, leaving already able to hunt, fly and swim the offspring alone. Such a seemingly harsh school of life is every young Atlantic impasse.

Interesting Facts

Scientists have long noticed some peculiarities in the behavior and life-style of these birds. For example, the pair preparing to become parents often digs a hole in the rocky terrain much larger than its size and the dimensions of all enemies in its natural environment. In a burrow depth of 2 meters, the kid is definitely not in danger.

And the next ability of the impasse could be envied by many divers. Underwater, this bird is able to travel at speeds up to 20 km / h. And the maximum depth of immersion of the dead end reaches 70 meters! You could call the water a native element of the Atlantic impasse, but in the sky this bird feels no less confident. A flight of 100 km is a common thing for a sea parrot. Thus the bird easily suffers a cold.

Natural enemies

The Atlantic impasse is a welcome catch for many neighbors. Near the nests of the sea parrot there are many birds of prey: eagles, hawks, skuas, polar owls. They are tempted by dead ends, especially young ones, even large seagulls.

Some dangerous enemies especially like the eggs and kids. That's why the docks are digging such impressive holes, that's why the chicks hide in the daytime.

Human factor

At present, the impasse does not represent absolutely no industrial interest for a person. No meat, feathers or down of this bird are considered valuable.

But human activities in the sea have an indirect effect. Pollution of the environment, as well as industrial catch of the loach, has a detrimental effect on the populations of these birds.