Can You Feel The Love?

These two razorbills are ecstatic. Why? Because they are in the middle of a courtship behavior also known as an Ecstatic Display where the male mainly advertises to the female by pointing his head forward, then sweeping it vertically before tucking his head down against his breast with his bill open.

Accompanied by Ecstatic Growls, mating pairs of Razorbills appear to be more cuddly with each other than other alcids on the Maine coast such as puffins and guillemots. Razorbills are known to frequently rub bills as well as preen their mates along their neck and chest.

Photo Courtesy of: fairy-wren
(photo by m carmody)