FRATERCULA CORNICULATA Meaning and
Definition
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Fratercula corniculata, commonly known as the horned puffin, is a species of seabird belonging to the family Alcidae. This medium-sized bird is found across the North Pacific Ocean, predominantly in coastal areas of Alaska, British Columbia, and Siberia.
The horned puffin is distinguished by its striking appearance. It has a black body with distinctive white facial markings, including a white patch around the base of the bill, a white neck collar, and bright orange feet. As the name suggests, this bird also possesses a prominent fleshy, horn-like projection above each eye during the breeding season.
Horned puffins primarily inhabit rocky islands and cliffs near the shoreline and spend the majority of their lives at sea. They are excellent divers and swimmers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater to search for small fish, crustaceans, and marine invertebrates that make up their diet.
Breeding colonies of horned puffins are established in dense coastal colonies, typically on steep cliffs or rocky slopes. Breeding pairs construct burrows or use natural crevices for nesting, where the female lays a single egg. Both parents take turns incubating the egg and caring for the offspring.
The conservation status of fratercula corniculata is currently categorized as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its large population and widespread distribution. However, these birds can be vulnerable to human disturbances, oil spills, and climate change impacts, making continued monitoring and conservation efforts vital for ensuring their long-term survival.
Common Misspellings for FRATERCULA CORNICULATA
- dratercula corniculata
- cratercula corniculata
- vratercula corniculata
- gratercula corniculata
- tratercula corniculata
- rratercula corniculata
- featercula corniculata
- fdatercula corniculata
- ffatercula corniculata
- ftatercula corniculata
- f5atercula corniculata
- f4atercula corniculata
- frztercula corniculata
- frstercula corniculata
- frwtercula corniculata
- frqtercula corniculata
- frarercula corniculata
- frafercula corniculata
- fragercula corniculata
Etymology of FRATERCULA CORNICULATA
The word "Fratercula corniculata" is a scientific name for a specific species of seabird commonly known as the horned puffin.
The etymology of the term "Fratercula" can be traced back to Latin. It comes from the word "fraterculus", which means "little brother" or "friar". This name was given to puffins due to their black and white plumage, which resembles the robes traditionally worn by monks or friars. The reference to a "little brother" might stem from their small size compared to some other seabirds.
The word "corniculata" is also derived from Latin. It is the feminine form of the adjective "corniculatus", meaning "horned" or "bearing horns".
