Northern Fulmar: Was Sie wissen sollten
Our Expert Says… "Often mistaken for gulls, these fulmars will often follow the ships in large numbers. While this behavior is obviously in case they can catch a meal, when I've observed them I'm sure they are also doing it for the sheer joy of flying so close to the ships. You can almost reach out and touch them, they fly so closely and accurately. Remarkable aviators!"
The northern fulmar (also called the Arctic fulmar) is one of the most abundant seabirds in the arctic region, with up to 30 million individuals in the population and rising.
Sometimes mistaken for gulls, fulmars are members of the petrel family, and like petrels, they produce a sticky stomach oil that is a rich source of nutrients for chicks and is used as a food source during long overwater flights. They can also projectile vomit this oil as a defense mechanism, and it can be very damaging to the feathers of any attacking seabirds.
Growing up to about 45cm (18”) in length, northern fulmars have a wingspan of around 1.1m (42”). They are usually gray and white in color, with thick yellow bills and blue-colored legs. There are some different color variations or “morphs”, too - your expert naturalist guides will help you to identify arctic fulmars.
Northern fulmars feed on fish, squid, jellyfish, and shrimp. They will also take carrion and garbage - and have learned to follow ships in the hope of picking up scraps from fishing vessels or other human waste. They will often glide quite close to your cruise shape, making for a fantastic close encounter and photo opportunity.