© Tom Watson / monacoeye • Scotland, May 2009 • All rights reserved

Bird name: Atlantic Puffin
Latin: Fratercula arctica
Other: Puffin • Fr: Macareux moine • De: Papageitaucher • Es: frailecillo atlántico • It: pulcinella di mare • Sv: Lunnefågel • Ru: Атлантический тупик • Is: Lundi
Family: Alcidae • Auks
Range: Iceland, UK, Norway coastlines etc, some US.
Similar: none

Many thanks to Anne for sending this lovely photo of a Puffin above, taken in Scotland by Tom. Tom was a very close friend of the family and left us far too young. He loved nature and was a talented photographer. He is sorely missed by his family and all of us who knew him.

Below, Puffins flying out at sea, late May, Iceland, 2010
More photos...

Photos copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2010

Bird name: Black Guillemot
Latin: Cepphus grylle
Other: Tystie
Family: Alcidae • Auks, Guillemots
Range: Iceland to Maine, UK, Ireland

The Black Guillemot, is in the Auk family, with Puffins. Recognised here, in summer plumage, by its characteristic white oval wing patches, and red legs. Whitish underwing (see “more photos”).

The Black Guillemot’s range is mostly in the north Atlantic: Iceland, Scandinavia, Scotland etc.More photos...

Photos copyright: AW/monacoeye • Do not copy • Iceland • May 2010

Bird name: Common Guillemot
Latin: Uria aalge
Other: Guillemot, Common Murre
Family: Alcidae • Auks
Range: Iceland, low Arctic circumpolar band, as far south as France for one ssp.

The Guillemot has a black head and wings with some streaking on flanks (especially in winter) and white belly.

The Guillemot is another north Atlantic bird, which breeds in Iceland, parts of Britain and Scandinavia. These ones spotted at sea in Iceland.More photos...

068 Alcidae - Auks - IOC 2.5 - 2010

Alle alle - Little Auk - N coasts - N oceans

Uria lomvia - Thick-billed Murre - N coasts - N oceans
Uria aalge - Common Murre - N coasts - N oceans

Alca torda - Razorbill - N Atlantic coasts - N Atlantic

Cepphus grylle - Black Guillemot - N coasts - N oceans
Cepphus columba - Pigeon Guillemot - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific
Cepphus carbo - Spectacled Guillemot - NE coasts - NW Pacific

Brachyramphus marmoratus - Marbled Murrelet - NW coasts - NE Pacific
Brachyramphus perdix - Long-billed Murrelet - NE coasts - NW Pacific
Brachyramphus brevirostris - Kittlitz's Murrelet - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific

Synthliboramphus hypoleucus - Xantus's Murrelet - W coasts
Synthliboramphus craveri - Craveri's Murrelet - W coasts
Synthliboramphus antiquus - Ancient Murrelet - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific
Synthliboramphus wumizusume - Japanese Murrelet - Japan, coasts

Ptychoramphus aleuticus - Cassin's Auklet - NW coasts

Aethia psittacula - Parakeet Auklet - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific
Aethia pusilla - Least Auklet - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific
Aethia pygmaea - Whiskered Auklet - NC, NW Pacific coasts - N Pacific
Aethia cristatella - Crested Auklet - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific

Cerorhinca monocerata - Rhinoceros Auklet - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific

Fratercula arctica - Atlantic Puffin - N Atlantic coasts - N Atlantic
Fratercula corniculata - Horned Puffin - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific
Fratercula cirrhata - Tufted Puffin - N Pacific coasts - N Pacific