My second adventure requiring a passport was a week-long trip to Ireland. Three days in Dublin, and then off to Killarney (where it’s Christmas–IFYKYK) as home base for a few more days of exploring. My travelling companion was collecting World Heritage sites, so we booked a trip to Skellig Michael and kept an eye on the weather.
From Killarney, it was a “long hour” to the point of departure in Port Magee, a small fishing village on the southwest coast in County Kerry; from there it’s 12km out to sea to the steep, rocky island of Skellig Michael. We were there in May–when the weather is windy and wet. Although I think that’s situation normal on Skellig year round. The island is home to a monastic site founded in the 6th to 8th centuries and a plethora of seabirds, including puffin.
I fell in love with the puffin in the wind and the rain of Skellig Michael. They are a small-ish ocean bird with a distinctive coloration: dark markings around the eyes, like mascara, and a tuxedo-esque body with black upperparts and white underparts. Charming and yet comical at the same time, their seasonal statement beak, gives one a nod to a night on the town (er, sea) at the drop of a feather. Puffin are excellent swimmers, which is likely another reason I’m so drawn to them, being chlorinated myself since age four. Puffin spend most of their life at sea, and only come to land to breed … in late spring. Fortuitous timing for us.
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Parrots learn to talk by imitating sounds they hear in their environment. Regular repetition of words and phrases helps them learn. They have strong memory skills. When one wants to make a point of remembering a word or turn of phrase, the parrot is an ideal mentor.
While direct research on the puffin is limited, observable behavior suggests notable memory skills, much like the parrot.
Navigation and migration:
Puffin return to the same colonies and even the same burrow year after year. They have a robust memory for spatial locations over long distances and time periods.
Foraging:
Puffin remember productive feeding areas and are capable of adjusting their routes based on changes in their “supply chain.” Fun fact: their beaks are specially adapted to hold several fish at once, which they carry back to their chicks, called pufflings. (I mean, come on, how cute is that?!?)
Social structure:
Puffin form strong familial bonds and recognize individual characteristics and behaviors.
Puffins aren’t parrots. But like parrots, they have longevity, often living over 20 years. Between the two, as a mascot to depict a curated collection of wisdom–snack sized reminders of things you know, but sometimes forget to remember–I pick puffins. 🙂
Points to Ponder: Think about your own memory ques:
- Do you have a favorite or go-to saying or pneumonic?
- What does it help you remember to not forget?
Actionable Application: Pick a person and share your puffin point. Consider how they respond and ask for theirs.