
- Guillemots, Ecomare
Auk species
Auk species look a lot like penguins. They are rather clumsy on land. Their feet are not really intended for a sturdy hike, however are specially adapted for swimming. They use their wings under water for flushing small fish and other prey. Razorbills, guillemots and puffins dive down deep to catch their prey. They not only resemble penguins externally, the manner in which they 'fly' through the water with half opened wings is also similar. They have webbed feet that serve as a rudder. Auks can reach enormous depths. Guillemots have been found as deep as 180 meters.
On Texel
You find lots of guillemots during migration and in the winter along the North Sea coast. Auks, puffins and little auks are much more unusual. If found, these birds are usually dead or dying on the beach. Sometimes, several guillemots are seen swimming in the ferry harbor in 't Horntje.
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