How Do Millions of Seabirds Fit on One Arctic Cliff?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do millions of seabirds fit on one Arctic cliff?

The Big Idea

Millions of seabirds fit on Arctic cliffs by using every tiny ledge! Each pair needs only a small space. The cliffs are safe, and the sea below is full of food.

Sea Cliffs

Step one: nest on cliffs. Seabirds like murres and kittiwakes nest in huge colonies on steep sea cliffs. A colony is a big group that lives together.

Tiny Ledges

Step two: tiny ledges. Each pair uses a ledge no bigger than a sheet of paper. A murre's pointy egg tends to roll in a small circle instead of off the edge.

Safe and Fed

Step three: safe and fed. The cliffs give safety from foxes. And the sea below has plenty of fish to feed hungry chicks.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The cliffs are steep and tall. Each pair gets a tiny ledge. A pointy egg rolls in a circle, not off the edge. And the sea below is full of fish.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! A single bird cliff can hold hundreds of thousands of birds. Murre chicks leap from the cliff when they are still young, and their dads look after them at sea. In the noisy colony, parents and chicks recognize each other's calls. Watch seabirds only from far away.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Gently roll a small paper cup on its side, then roll a ball on a table. Which one curves around in a circle? The cup's shape is like a murre's egg! Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Seabirds pack onto cliffs using every tiny ledge. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!