Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Fratercula arctica

Fratercula arctica

9.6
A small seabird with a colorful beak found in the northern Atlantic
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Fratercula arctica
  • The Fratercula arctica can be found nesting on coastal cliffs in Iceland during the summer.

Examples

  • Scientists are tracking populations of Fratercula arctica to monitor changes in the marine ecosystem.

  • Many tourists travel to see the Fratercula arctica during summer.

  • Children at the aquarium were fascinated by the vibrant beaks of Fratercula arctica.

  • The Fratercula arctica is known for its striking beak.

  • Visitors to the coastal cliffs in Iceland often enjoy watching the colorful beaks of Fratercula arctica as they nest during summer.

  • Ornithologists study Fratercula arctica to understand its role in the northern Atlantic Ocean ecosystem.

  • The bright orange and yellow beak of the Fratercula arctica makes it easily recognizable among seabirds.

Synonyms

Atlantic puffin
vsFratercula arctica
6.8

A seabird with a black back, white belly, and a bright, colorful beak that nests on northern Atlantic cliffs

is the formal scientific name used in taxonomy rather than everyday speech

Surface Forms

Fratercula arctica singular
Fraterculae arcticae plural

Morphology

Fratercula + arctica

This is a compositional Latin binomial: 'Fratercula' names the puffin genus and 'arctica' transparently signals 'of the Arctic' or northern distribution, so together they denote a puffin species from northern/Arctic waters. Because the specific epithet is cognate with English 'Arctic' and the genus label explicitly names puffins, a learner who knows both constituents can readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

Fratercula arctica comes from old Latin words: Fratercula means 'little brother' or 'friar' because the puffin's black-and-white feathers look like a monk's coat, and arctica means 'northern' because the bird lives in cold northern seas. That's why this name is the scientific name for the 'Atlantic puffin', a seabird with a bright, colorful beak found in the northern Atlantic.