They’re known as the clowns of the sea, and puffins certainly know how to entertain a crowd with their comical antics and cartoon-like appearance. In winter, they settle off the coast of Iceland – the breeding home of 60% of the world’s Atlantic puffins. Lovers for life, they breed with their mating partner before heading back to sea for months at a time. They’re a sight to behold during nesting season, so it’s no wonder the puffins draw scores of tourists.
While this is beneficial to the local economy, it can have negative consequences for the puffins who need solitude to breed. Any disturbances may interrupt adult birds from feeding their newly-hatched chicks. Yet people continue to get closer and closer, with some going as far as touching them. A puffin’s feathers have unique properties that allow them to deflect water and stay dry. But this repellent exterior is damaged when touched. If we are to keep appreciating these birds, they’re best admired from afar.
Images and footage by Dominika Milek were used in the creation of this film.
Dominika Milek: https://www.instagram.com/dominikamilek_wildlife/
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