Subject: Tufted Puffin struggle
Date: Oct 4 09:31:52 1996
From: CAPT CONRAD W SELFORS - GXAL45A at prodigy.com


-- [ From: Conrad Selfors * EMC.Ver #2.5.1 ] --

Hello Tweeters: I experienced a very interesting happening this summer
that I would like to share and I have several questions. Our tour ,
weather permitting, includes several stops in the Chiswell Islands,
part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Possibly some of
you have been there! An island that we call Beehive #2 has a fault
line in the middle where a sea cave has been created by Mother Nature.
The cave is called The Chimney. At certain stages of the tide, the
ocean swells will force the water through a submerged underwater hole
causing the water to get "pressurized" and steam or a misty effect (
smoke like ) will appear coming out the cave . Anyway, this is a great
place to pull the boat into and get real close. From this point you can
see all the Black-legged Kiittiwakes nesting in the cave and on the
verticle cliff faces. Above the cave on the horizontal ledges a small
colony of Thick-billed Murres and ofcourse higher up , thousands of
Tufted Puffins occupying what appears to be every available nesting
site.
On one very calm , sunny day as I pulled into the Chimney, we watch
two Tufted Puffins fighting on the water right infront of the cave. One
bird had the other by the throat {neck} , in a death grip and
proceeded to hold on and not let go. They were splashing around for
about 5 minutes. The dominating bird appeared to frequently adjust
its grip ( hold) on the other birds neck.Not sure if it was trying to
cut of sever. It looked like it was trying to drown the opponent.
Finally the task was done, one motionless bird floating on the water and
the victor dove and swam away.
Because of their close proximity to the shore, I would assume that
this struggle began somewhere high up on the island which as steep
verticle cliffs and both birds probably fell to the water while
fighting. Possibly a territorial disput over a nesting site..This is
logical?????? But after leaving the scene I am still pondering...
Where these two males, two females, or a male and a female fighting?????
??????? Alcids are imposible for me to identify as to gender . Any
ideas out there????
It was a shame to leave the dead bird but I don't a "Recovery
Permit" { working on that right now}. I know it didn't take long before
becoming supper for a nearby gull.

Respectfully ssubmitted. Captain Cormorant M/V Northland