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  4. Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

Several facets of the Fulmar’s life set it apart from the rest of its family, not least that it breeds on open ledges on cliffs, not in burrows, and attends the nest-site by day as well as by night. Its secret lies partly in its unprepossessing way of dealing with potential predators: if they get too close, the Fulmar spits foul-smelling stomach oil at them. Such a concoction can damage the plumage of a bird predator, and as far as humans are concerned, the smell can remain for days.

The Fulmar also breeds much farther north than any other member of its family, from 50°N into the heart of the Arctic, as far as the polar pack-ice. The rich waters at these latitudes provide breeding Fulmars with plenty of squids, fish and plankton, which they seize from the surface of the water while swimming. The broad, heavy bill of the Fulmar is also well adapted to dealing with offal, and pulling flesh from carcasses, including those of whales, seals and walruses.

A taste for dead meat has enabled the Fulmar to prosper from some of man’s commercial activities, including whaling in former times, and now fishing. Large flocks of these grey-and-white birds are a common sight as they jostle over fish thrown out from trawlers, cackling like witches at a coven. Such sources of ready food have enabled the Fulmar’s range and population to expand greatly for the last 200 years.

Fulmars are long-lived birds, with an annual survival rate of about 90%, which is actually about standard for the family as a whole. There is a recent record of one Fulmar attaining the age of 50. With such a lifespan Fulmars can delay breeding until they are about six years old, but some individuals have held out until they were 12.