Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

 

Search in the Encyclopedia

Dieren en planten

Auk species   Guillemot   Puffin   Little auk   Razorbill   Marine fauna   Seabirds   Oil victims   Swimming birds   

Water en land

  • Dut: Alken
  • Lat: Alcidae
  • Eng: Auks
  • Ger: Alkenvögel
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.