FRATERCULA Meaning and
Definition
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Fratercula is a noun that refers to a small seabird of the family Alcidae and the genus Fratercula, commonly known as the puffin. The word is derived from the Latin term "fratercula," meaning "little brother," due to the bird's black and white plumage that resembles a monk's robe.
The fratercula typically measures around 25 centimeters in length and is characterized by its distinctive brightly colored beak, which is generally red-orange during the breeding season and duller during the non-breeding season. It has a sturdy body, short wings adapted for swimming underwater, and webbed feet that enable efficient aquatic locomotion.
These seabirds are primarily found along the coasts of northern regions, including the North Atlantic Ocean and the northern Pacific Ocean. Fraterculas are excellent divers and feed on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. They use their wings to propel themselves underwater, catching prey with their sharp beaks.
During the breeding season, fraterculas gather in large colonies on rocky cliffs, building burrows in the soil or utilizing rock crevices as nests. They are monogamous birds and display strong nesting site fidelity, returning to the same colony year after year. Female fraterculas typically lay a single egg, and both parents take turns incubating the egg and caring for the offspring once hatched.
The fratercula has become an iconic and beloved symbol of coastal areas where it nests, attracting attention and interest from birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. It is often considered a keystone species, contributing to the ecological balance of marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations and providing nutrients through feces and discarded fish.
Common Misspellings for FRATERCULA
- dratercula
- cratercula
- vratercula
- gratercula
- tratercula
- rratercula
- featercula
- fdatercula
- ffatercula
- ftatercula
- f5atercula
- f4atercula
- frztercula
- frstercula
- frwtercula
- frqtercula
- frarercula
- frafercula
- fragercula
Etymology of FRATERCULA
The word "fratercula" is derived from Latin. It comes from the combination of two Latin words: "frater", meaning "brother", and "cula", meaning "diminutive" or "small".
The name "fratercula" was given to a genus of small seabirds known as puffins. These birds were named fratercula due to their resemblance to little monks or brothers with their black and white plumage, as well as their upright posture which gave them a distinctive appearance.
The word "fratercula" reflects the bird's likeness to a small, monk-like creature and serves as a descriptive term for this particular bird genus.
Similar spelling words for FRATERCULA
- fraternise,
- fraternally,
- fraternity,
- Frederica,
- fritter,
- Frederic,
- fredericks,
- fraternal,
- frederick,
- Fredericka,
- fraternize,
- fruiterer,
- fratricide,
- frotteur.
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