Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Atlantic Puffin/archive1


 * The following is an archived discussion of a featured article nomination. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the article's talk page or in Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates. No further edits should be made to this page.

The article was promoted by User:Ian Rose 10:03, 9 September 2013 (UTC).

Atlantic Puffin

 * Nominator(s): Cwmhiraeth (talk) 06:06, 9 August 2013 (UTC)

I am nominating this for featured article because I believe it is of a sufficiently high standard. The Atlantic Puffin is an interesting bird with an unusual lifestyle. I was inspired to choose it by finding a fascinating book about the bird at my local public library. Jimfbleak has done a thorough good article review and I have got the book out again from the library and look forward to answering your comments! Cwmhiraeth (talk) 06:06, 9 August 2013 (UTC)

Question Why is the word puffin sometimes capitalised and sometimes not? --John (talk) 18:49, 9 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Where the article is talking about a particular species of puffin, it should be capitalised. When talking about puffins in general, as in the sentence "... the family Alcidae which includes the guillemots, auks, razorbills, murrelets, auklets and puffins" it should not. Having said that, I looked through the article and have made several corrections where I had got it wrong. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 20:05, 9 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Why is that? I think that aesthetically it looks awful and practically it may be confusing to use this convention which most readers will not be aware of. --John (talk) 14:51, 12 August 2013 (UTC);;
 * The convention on capitalisation of bird species names is for clarity and the explanation given above is correct. However, there is only one species of Razorbill, so the pleural should be capitalised also. Snowman (talk) 20:14, 13 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Note: This is a WikiCup nomination. The following nominators are WikiCup participants: Cwmhiraeth. To the nominator: if you do not intend to submit this article at the WikiCup, feel free to remove this notice. UcuchaBot (talk) 00:01, 10 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Support now...Comments from PumpkinSky
 * The range in the lead doesn't seem to match the map nor the range as described in the article body, towit: in the the lead it says the southern range is Maine/UK but the body and map say/show North Carolina/Morocco-Spain. Perhaps this can be clarified.
 * I have redrawn the line on the range map showing the southern limit of the summer range, Maine/UK. In winter the range extends southwards to North Carolina/Morocco-Spain. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 06:08, 10 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Image check
 * Can we get an English translation of the description of File:Macareux en pêche (2).jpg and File:Fratercula arctica001.jpg
 * Done. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:27, 10 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The way you did that made the French descriptions not display. I've fixed that. Pumpkin Sky   talk  10:54, 10 August 2013 (UTC)
 * File:Lundeunge.jpg and File:Stora dimun puffins for kitchen.jpg need a source.
 * Done. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:27, 10 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The source page for File:Fratercula arctica -Firth of Forth, Scotland -flying-8.jpg says it is copyrighted all rights reserved, but the bot says it was free on date uploaded. I'd like another opinion on this issue.
 * Pumpkin Sky  talk  02:49, 10 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The uploading bot, i.e. File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske), can be trusted that File:Fratercula arctica -Firth of Forth, Scotland -flying-8.jpg was available under a CC-BY-2.0 license at September 9, 2011. It is not uncommon that Flickr users change their mind but as Creative Commons licenses cannot be revoked, this image stays at Commons and can be freely used at en-wp. --AFBorchert (talk) 13:31, 10 August 2013 (UTC)
 * User AFBorchert is correct. I uploaded this image, when the Flickr photographer published it with a CC licence suitable for Commons. He subsequently stopped publishing it under that licence. On Commons the template,, on the file explains that the original copyright licence can still be used. Snowman (talk) 20:21, 13 August 2013 (UTC)

Quick initial comment: I'm not super-keen on copying a cladogram as PD (IANAL), and I also wonder if there are access issues. You could perhaps get around both of these issues through use of Template:Cladogram? J Milburn (talk) 13:24, 10 August 2013 (UTC)
 * It is just names and some lines, not eligible for copyright. It is neither copyrighted text or a discernible design. But personally, I also think "code" cladograms are more practical. FunkMonk (talk) 18:21, 11 August 2013 (UTC)
 * File:Puffin cladogram.jpg is below the threshold of originality according to US law as it consists of text, lines, and braces only. Thereby, it is in the public domain. However, access may indeed a point. If you are looking for an alternative cladogram, take a look at this de-wp article and scroll somewhat down. Clade is a similar template at en-wp. --AFBorchert (talk) 20:24, 11 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have never made a cladogram and the wikitext looks quite repellent, so I was delighted to find this JPG. If necessary I will attempt to make one but will not do so if the copyright status of the present image is deemed to be OK. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 09:13, 12 August 2013 (UTC)
 * As elaborated above, the present image is not eligible for copyright according to US law. --AFBorchert (talk) 15:32, 12 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have solved this and added a cladogram. Reid,iain james (talk) 20:57, 15 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Indeed, thank you for making the cladogram, a considerable improvement on the image I think. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 04:55, 16 August 2013 (UTC)

Comments by FunkMonk

 * I will give this a read before long, but until then, the lead does not mention that the winter plumage is different (or that it even has it), and the beak dramatically so, I think that should be noted. FunkMonk (talk) 15:41, 12 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added a sentence. I don't believe the plumage is different in winter. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:07, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The article mentions some differences in the non-breeding season, such as duller and browner feathers. Furthermore, here is a site which mentions even more differences than are stated in the article, which I think should be added: "After the breeding season, the adult puffin sheds the colourful plates on its bill and around the eyes as well as the feathers on its head and neck. Its face becomes dark, especially around and in front of the eye. The Atlantic Puffin looks so different in the winter that people once thought it was a different species." FunkMonk (talk) 12:38, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I've added an extra sentence using your source. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 20:05, 13 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The following sentence needs a source: "It mostly moves by paddling along efficiently with its webbed feet and seldom takes to the air."
 * Added. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:07, 13 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The following needs a source: "Most oil spills happen in winter when the Puffins are far out at sea.[citation needed]"
 * Done. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:07, 13 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I think adding an image of the egg would be helpful, but space might be an issue.
 * My source says the egg is white, possibly with a few faint markings. I doubt whether this image is actually an Atlantic Puffin egg. The shape is wrong too, being the sort of shape designed not to roll off a rock ledge. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:07, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I agree, it looks like the egg of another kind of auk, but maybe the uploader made a mistake when labelling them, I'll try to check the source. FunkMonk (talk) 12:42, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Weirdly, the source says 48 and 49 are "Macareux", which should mean puffin in French. Looks more like the egg of a Razorbill, but since the source is so old, who knows how the name could have changed meaning?. FunkMonk (talk) 12:54, 13 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I'll add more comments when I read the article. FunkMonk (talk) 15:47, 12 August 2013 (UTC)
 * "Birds that were removed as chicks and liberated elsewhere" Is "liberated" commonly used in this context?
 * Trying not to use the word "release" twice in the same sentence. I have changed it round. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 11:09, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "although it has been found experimentally" Found through experiments? Sounds a little odd.
 * Removed the word. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 11:09, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "The white shell is usually devoid of markings but soon becomes soiled." The source I linked above says it is soiled by mud. Could be nice to add. One could think they were soiled by excrements or some such... FunkMonk (talk) 00:28, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added. That's what my source stated too. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 11:09, 14 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "sand eels (Ammodytes marinus)" Not a big deal, but everywhere else you wikilink the common name, not the binomial. Any reason?
 * Corrected. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 11:09, 14 August 2013 (UTC)

*Support - I think it is a very nice article, I saw a large puffin colony on Iceland a month ago, and they're really cute birds. I think it is really good how many images you have added of behaviour, could be great with a photo of an egg, but seems we have none. FunkMonk (talk) 12:45, 14 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Thank you for your support. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 17:36, 14 August 2013 (UTC)

Support Comments from Jim I did the GA review, so the following are just minor points arising from a second viewing with FAC-grade beady eyes. I look forward to supporting soon. COI declaration: I appear to be second only to the nominator in terms of edits to this article, although I played no significant part in its upgrading.  Jimfbleak -  talk to me?  13:04, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Newfoundland, Maine, moults, gulls, skuas.&mdash; link at first occurrence
 * Done Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Three subspecies have traditionally been recognized but size seems to be the only difference... Puffins from northern populations are typically larger than their counterparts in southern parts of the range. It is possible that these populations are separate subspecies, but this is disputed.  &mdash;you seem to be saying essentially the same thing in two widely separated places
 * Removed one Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * countries (as opposed to states and provinces) are normally not linked at FAC, if you choose to link, it should be at the first occurrence
 * That's the rule I have tried to adopt Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Thieving&mdash; bit anthropomorphic imho
 * Rephrased Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Wingspan... and on land it stands...&mdash; subject as written is "wingspan"
 * Rephrased Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * it will struggle to the water&mdash; always?
 * Changed Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * 15,000,000 to 30,000,000 square kilometres (5,800,000 to 12,000,000 &mdash; personally, I'd write in millions, but up to you
 * Changed Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * an adult bird needs to eat about forty of these per day&mdash; is that correct as stated, or does it need to catch that number when it's feeding young?
 * That's correct. The source says 40 fish to survive but does also mention an average length of 70mm. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC).
 * It copes with the excess salt that it inevitably swallows &mdash; a bit misleading, afaik the auks actually drink sea-water, so it's not necessarily accidental ingestion
 * Changed Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 *  have a fidelity&mdash;I'd be inclined to say "show fidelity" or "are faithful to"
 * Changed Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * steppes &mdash; is this right? I'd expect tundra
 * You are right Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * you don't need to repeat the scientific names each time you mention eg herring
 * Done, I think Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:25, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * No further queries, changed to support above. It hadn't occurred to me until I saw a young guillemot on the Farnes in July just how uncommon it is to see a juvenile auk in the water  Jimfbleak -  talk to me?  19:54, 13 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Thank you for your comments and support. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 20:05, 13 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Comments by Snowmanradio
 * Should the Alcidae cladogram be placed on the Alcidae article rather than the article about this species. If it belongs on this species page, then it would also belong on all the other species in the family as well. Why is there 23 species in the family on the Commons cladogram File:Puffin_cladogram.jpg and only 20 in the new Wiki mark-up cladogram? Snowman (talk) 10:46, 16 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The answer to your question is that two of the taxa in the image are not Alcids so I took them out to make it an Alcid-only cladogram. Reid,iain james (talk) 02:04, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Cancel that. Reid,iain james (talk) 02:06, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Done. Reid,iain james (talk) 02:12, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I note that the cladogram has been amended. Should it be deleted from this article and placed in the family article? Snowman (talk) 14:04, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I see no reason why it couldn't just be placed in several articles. Certainly no need for deletion here. FunkMonk (talk) 14:10, 18 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission; serrations on its beak that help it hold several fish in its beak. Snowman (talk) 21:15, 16 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Could not find anything. Reid,iain james (talk) 02:58, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added this information. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 09:14, 18 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission; at what age to chicks open their eyes? Snowman (talk) 22:02, 16 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Also nothing. Reid,iain james (talk) 02:58, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added this information. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 09:14, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think that is really interesting that chicks have their eyes open at hatching. Snowman (talk) 14:26, 18 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "... head tucked under its wing". Its two wings are small. Does it mean "beak tucked under a wing"? Snowman (talk) 22:10, 16 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Where's that? Reid,iain james (talk) 02:58, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * My source says "head" and I think its wings are big enough for this. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 09:14, 18 August 2013 (UTC). Cwmhiraeth (talk) 09:14, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have found an image of a sleeping puffin and it shows part of the beak (not the whole head) under a wing. Snowman (talk) 13:58, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * My source states "the parent spends most of the incubating period asleep with its head under its wing or staring down the tunnel in a trance-like state". Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:47, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have seen some more photographs of puffins asleep or resting and all with part of their beak under a wing. Why would they sleep in a different posture when sleeping in the burrow? Snowman (talk) 14:14, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think sleeping with its "head under a wing" is an expression meaning "tucked back among the plumage at the base of the wing" rather than a literal description of the head's position. I will change the word to "beak" if you wish. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:13, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Why not change it to something that is not potentially misleading? Snowman (talk) 13:17, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Because this is Wikipedia, we write what the published sources say, not what we decide from interpreting Google photos. FunkMonk (talk) 14:25, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * For the Wikipedia, information can be reliably extracted from a number of reliable sources including photographs. Snowman (talk) 19:01, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Only if the said photo is described in a written work. Sorry, original interpretation is original research. FunkMonk (talk) 19:13, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I disagree. The interpretation of a photograph need not be original research. In many cases it is clear what a photograph shows and it is simple to write down what it shows. Information can also be simply extracted from a map. Snowman (talk) 20:08, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Then you are wrong. I may have to ask uninvolved FAC editors to join in, because this is not appropriate. FunkMonk (talk) 14:30, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I am not wrong. I have discussed extracting information from images a long time ago at Wikipedia_talk:Identifying_reliable_sources/Archive_34.  I have raised the topic of the birds sleeping posture for discussion and showed an image to stimulate discussion, which is entirely appropriate in a FAC.  Snowman (talk) 16:16, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * As I said above, the expression "head tucked under wing" is widely used about birds roosting. Take a look at this Google search for ""head tucked under wing" image". The birds depicted have their beaks tucked under their wing and not their heads tucked under. I quoted above the exact words used by my book source. I think the wording should stay as it is in the article. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:05, 26 August 2013 (UTC)
 * You appear to be saying that the phrase "head under wing" is commonly used and then add that the pictures indicate that it is wrong. I would accept that is what your 1995 source says, but what if more recent sources said something different about the sleeping posture of birds? What if articles that focus on the sleeping posture of birds contradict your source? Sleeping posture is considered in this article about a duck. The paper is used in the Wiki article about birds to source this; "Sleeping birds often use a type of sleep known as vigilant sleep, where periods of rest are interspersed with quick eye-opening peeks ...". I would guess that if only the beak was under the wing then the bird could simply open its eye to look around without moving its head. I would guess that moving the whole head from under the wing to look around would probably make the bird noticeable and more vulnerable.  I can not access the full article (that I linked about the duck), but I wonder if there is anything there that can be added to the article about the sleeping posture of birds in general.  I would think that one or more RS could probably be found to explain the sleeping posture of birds and this would prevent using "head under wing" which I would regard as an inadvertent over-simplification in a 1995 general book about puffins that should not be replicated in the Wiki article.  I see no reason for perpetuating "head under wing" here, but if you must leave "head under wing" in the article, then it may be reasonable to add a footnote to explain the sleeping posture of birds using a RS at the end of the footnote. Snowman (talk) 14:08, 26 August 2013 (UTC)
 * What you say is interesting but not relevant in this instance as we are not talking about the sleeping posture of the Puffin in general. An adult incubating an egg in the darkness and safety of a burrow is in a very different position to one roosting in the open air. My source states that "the parent spends most of the incubating period asleep with its head under its wing or staring down the tunnel in a trance-like state". One of the authors is the warden of the Skomer Island National Nature Reserve in Wales. He lives on the island and sees the birds every day during the summer period. He went to the trouble of creating an underground hide from which the "goings-on" in a Puffin nesting chamber could be observed and photographed. If he states that the bird had its head under its wing, that is good enough for me. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:29, 27 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Snowman, you need to show sources that contradict the other sources, or simply let it go. This is Wikipedia, you cannot go beyond the sourcs. You cannot demand adding info that is not found in the sources, especially when you base it on original research, as you did with the photo, see comments from admin below. Furthermore, "head under its wing" would cover "beak under its wing" as well. FunkMonk (talk) 05:35, 27 August 2013 (UTC)
 * In the interests of improving the Wikipedia an am trying to advance discussion about the sleeping posture of the puffin, so that the article can be improved. Describing obvious features of a photograph is not original research. I am not demanding anything and the conclusion here will be a consensus. Snowman (talk) 08:56, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission. Does the down of a newly hatched chick have enough heat insulation to keep the chick warm even if both adults are away from the nest? Snowman (talk) 14:26, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Information added. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:13, 20 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "The fledglings emerge from the nest and try to make their way to the sea but sometimes get confused, ending up in the village streets." Should this be in the culture section or the reproduction section? The source mentions the moonlight and street-lights, so I wonder if more details should be added to make it more logical. Snowman (talk) 14:41, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Rephrased. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:59, 20 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "The children collect them and liberate them on the beach next morning." The source does not mention "beach". Are the young birds rather venerable to predators if left on the beach in the daylight. Should this be in the conservation section or the reproduction section? Snowman (talk) 14:41, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Rephrased to better correspond with the source. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:59, 20 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "It has been found that adults bringing fish to their chicks tend to arrive in clumps." Does this mean that they land near clumps of grass? Does it mean arrive in a group with other puffins? Snowman (talk) 17:48, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Arriving in groups. Rephrased. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:47, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * It is a curious error. Could the original have said something like; "... arrive in groups near clumps of vegetation"? Snowman (talk) 14:16, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The source states "... puffins arrived clumped, with more puffins than expected arriving within intervals of less than or equal to five sec of each other". Cwmhiraeth (talk) 12:59, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I see. Snowman (talk) 13:16, 20 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Article organisation: A section has the heading "Ecology", which is a big topic. I think that many of the other sections include ecology, so I think that the heading structure is illogical. WP Birds suggests guidelines for a heading structure on their main page at WikiProject_Birds and it includes a section headed "Behaviour and ecology"; however, their suggested structure is often adapted to suite a particular bird species. I would encourage using a more conventional and logical heading and sub-heading structure. Snowman (talk) 17:55, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I feel that this bird has an unusual style of life that does not easily fit into the WikiProject Birds suggested article layout structure. What do other people think of the present layout? Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:00, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * It is appropriate to adapt the heading structure. However, I find the heading structure created here is illogical, because ecology is a vast topic that incorporates several topics that are the main content of sections of the article that are not under the "Ecology" section. Snowman (talk) 08:40, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Would look better to me if you made "life at sea", "the colony", "reproduction", and "ecology" subsections under a "behaviour" or "life history" section. FunkMonk (talk) 14:32, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Done. Reid,iain james (talk) 14:48, 21 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults"; to me the young look completely different to the adults owing to the different colours of the beak and feet, different shape of the beak, and more grey on the head of the juvenile. Snowman (talk) 18:13, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have changed the wording. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:00, 20 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The cladogram is sourced from a 1996 journal article. The cladogram includes Xantus's Murrelet, but the Wiki page on this topic is a short list that says that Xantus's Murrelet has been split in to two species. Is the cladogram out-of-date? Snowman (talk) 19:38, 19 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have expanded the cladogram to include these new species. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:00, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have seen the expanded cladogram, but the reference for the new part is not provided. The citation at the end of the caption remains the same. Snowman (talk) 19:04, 20 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added a ref to the updated cladogram. Reid,iain james (talk) 22:30, 20 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I presume that the cladogram of Auks is incomplete without a mention for the recently extinct Great Auk. Snowman (talk) 09:33, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added the great auk and a reference for its inclusion. Reid,iain james (talk) 14:19, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Guys, we cannot add anything to the cladogram that is not in the one in the source. The placement of the added taxa is original research. FunkMonk (talk) 14:24, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Actually, the ref for the Great auk says it is closest to the Razorbill. Reid,iain james (talk) 14:37, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, but not the ref for the cladogram. Combining the two is original synthesis. We need a cladogram which includes them all, we cannot make our own original cladogram based on different sources. FunkMonk (talk) 14:39, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I can try to find a ref that has all of them included. Reid,iain james (talk) 14:48, 21 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The two images in the "Life at sea" section are of puffins in the sea quite close to land and they are in breeding plumage. Hence, these are puffins that are most probably going back to land daily. These are not puffins in the phase of spending a substantial continuous time at sea. I think that the position of these images and their captions are together potentially misleading. Also, I think that the heading "Life at sea" could be more specific. Snowman (talk) 08:25, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I wonder why you think the pictures are of birds close to shore? They probably are as Puffins are spread out over the sea in winter and therefore seldom seen. However as they do not moult till about January, I do not think the images are misleading. What heading would you think better than "Life at sea"? Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:59, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The coordinates on Commons of the images show that both images are of puffins near to the shore. Yes, I expect that the puffins behave in water in a similar way near to the colony and far out at sea; however, I think that the captions should give the locations of both birds and that they birds are near to land in both images. Snowman (talk) 19:15, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have seen the new captioning. Snowman (talk) 20:31, 24 August 2013 (UTC)


 * " Then it empties for the night as the birds fly out to sea to roost...". I presume that this is not literally true, because chicks and perhaps adults incubating eggs will be in the burrows. Snowman (talk) 08:34, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Rephrased. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:59, 21 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible inconsistency owing to a change of emphasis. In the introduction; " It is possible that these populations are separate subspecies, but this is disputed". In the taxonomy section; "There are generally considered to be three subspecies:[12]". Snowman (talk) 08:47, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Corrected. Reid,iain james (talk) 14:28, 21 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The "Ecology" heading seems to be too vague to me. The section is actually mainly about threats and parasites. Snowman (talk) 08:56, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The meaning of ecology, as I understand it, is the way organisms react with each other and their environment. Feel free to suggest an alternative section title. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:59, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have reorganised and renamed it. Snowman (talk) 14:50, 24 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "The colony" as a heading. Headings on the Wiki do not usually start with "The". Snowman (talk) 08:59, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Renamed: Life in the colony. Reid,iain james (talk) 14:37, 21 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission. Role of the puffin in tourism and as a visitor attraction to local economy. See boat. Snowman (talk) 09:20, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added some information on tourism. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:59, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * That is a good start, but it is focused on North America. Probably needs a more holistic account. Snowman (talk) 19:40, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I will see what I can find. The sort of irresponsible tourism shown in the image recently added is bad. Don't those people realise that traipsing among the shallow burrows can cause them to collapse with fatal consequences? Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:43, 22 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Do you think that the image should be removed? Do you think that the caption should indicate the dangers to puffins? Is there anything in the literature about irresponsible tourism? Snowman (talk) 13:39, 22 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have changed the caption to indicate the irresponsible behavior. I think it is fine to leave it in like that. Reid,iain james (talk) 14:31, 22 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think that the new caption is a little presumptive. Perhaps, there is something about tourists affecting breeding colonies in the literature that might help. Snowman (talk) 19:53, 22 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Although I can find mention of a few boat trips to view puffins and other sea birds in the UK and Iceland, I'm not sure that this and this are reliable sources. What do you think? Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:58, 24 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I am not sure if each would be classified as a "self publication" or not and I do not know about their editorial processes. However, the BBC is generally considered a RS for the Wiki, and the BBC has something here and here. Snowman (talk) 20:03, 24 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added a sentence about Iceland. I think in general, puffin tourism is a rather low key affair with local entrepreneurs offering boat trips. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:05, 26 August 2013 (UTC)
 * At least the article mentions some tourism outside North America now. I think that it is often difficult to find RS about tourism, but there may be plenty of "adverts". More RS on tourism may turn up. Snowman (talk) 14:34, 26 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "..., the chick sheds its down and the adult plumage is revealed." Adult plumage is most probably the wrong expression for the first plumage after the fluffy-down phase. Snowman (talk) 21:42, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Done. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:43, 22 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I am aware that the introduction describes the puffins bill when it is colourful in the breeding season. However, the introduction has no remark about how striking and noticeable these colours of the beak are. I think that this is significant enough for emphasis in the introduction. I have been looking at the introduction for a while, so it might not choose the right words at this juncture. Snowman (talk) 18:45, 23 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Rephrased. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:58, 24 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The guidelines at WikiProject_Birds suggest a "Food and feeding" section. This could easily be split off from the "At sea" section. I would encourage following these guidelines for article consistency across the Wikipedia. Snowman (talk) 14:38, 24 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Done. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:58, 24 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission. An old bird book by Francis Orpen Morris comments on the puffins bite. Snowman (talk) 14:46, 24 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:05, 26 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission. I have been looking for puffin images on flickr and I found a few photographs of puffins in zoos; for example this puffin. Are details about puffins in captivity an omission? Snowman (talk) 20:28, 24 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The St Louis Zoo is the source of that image and its puffins are not Atlantic Puffins. I think that it is unnecessary to mention puffins being kept in captivity in this article. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:05, 26 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I see. Snowman (talk) 14:28, 26 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission. The article focuses only on lost young puffins in Iceland and returning them to the sea. Efforts are also made in other places to return lost young puffins to the sea; see BBC website. Snowman (talk) 17:18, 25 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Another instance mentioned. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:05, 26 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "A flick of the wrist secured the victim ...". Sounds vague to me and probably assumes prior knowledge. Snowman (talk) 17:25, 25 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Done. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:05, 26 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "... it emerges from the burrow, usually for the first time, and walks, runs and flaps its way to the sea.". This may be contraindicated is this BBC wildlife video, which (I think) indicates that young puffins explore around the nest for a while prior to going out to the sea.  Snowman (talk) 14:28, 26 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added further information. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:29, 27 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The article has two images of juvenile puffins and both are outside the nest. One has down and is too young to go to sea. I think that the text of the article is not consistent with young puffins being outside the nest. Snowman (talk) 21:10, 27 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The text says "usually" and that indicates that it may, on occasion, emerge from the nest. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:30, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission. Circumstances about the fledglings first visit to the sea and its weight at this time. The BBC wildlife video suggests that the fledgeling is lighter than the adult when it leaves the nest and goes to sea. The BBC Tweet of the Day suggests that the adults leave for the sea a few days before the fledgeling. Snowman (talk) 18:50, 26 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The weight at fledging is already mentioned. The adults do not abandon the chick according to my reliable source, but the volume of fish may reduce somewhat. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 05:29, 27 August 2013 (UTC)
 * The BBC is also a reliable source. I have not got a lot of time for looking for other sources. Snowman (talk) 20:46, 27 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "These are dropped on the floor of the nest beside the chick which swallows them whole. " I have found a reference which says that newly hatched puffins are fed some fish from beak to beak; see The Secret Lives of the Puffins. 2013. page 149. Snowman (talk) 08:56, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have used this source and added this information. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:30, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * I am not convinced that using a 1995 book a lot as a source is satisfactory, because there are more recent books written about puffins.  Snowman (talk) 08:56, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think your book source is a "coffee table" book with fine photography and text by a professional bird book author and I note that it has an index but no references. I think my source is fine because the bird's behaviour and habits is not going to change over the years. However I admit that new information might become available as in the above example of beak-to-beak feeding. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:30, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * If the authors only had one underground hide and only observed one nest (as described by User Cwmhiraeth above), then I think that this should be reported in the article alongside the relevant findings. Snowman (talk) 08:56, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:30, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "... likes to land in a location where other birds are not already present." I presume that this means that puffins likes to land where there are puffins. To me, "other birds" looks too vague. Snowman (talk) 15:24, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Done. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:06, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission: In the UK the BBC have have recently covered the latest puffin count on Farne Island. Without including this 2013 puffin survey the article looks out of date. Snowman (talk) 15:53, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:06, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * "... they occupy a high trophic level." Jargon. Snowman (talk) 16:05, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Wikilinked. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:06, 28 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The "Conservation" section has some paragraphs that are clearly about conservation, but other paragraphs are about pollution or climate change without any conservation. I wonder if a little re-organisation is needed. Would another heading be better? Does the section need to be split? Snowman (talk) 16:29, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * To show what I am describing, I have split off the climate change paragraphs. I think that the chemical pollution paragraph can stay with the conservation section. Any comments? Snowman (talk) 16:44, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I've renamed the section. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:06, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have made another attempt an re-naming one section, but I think that it is not quite suitable, because "environment" is a very broad topic. "Pollution" might work for most of it, but not the paragraph about invasive plants. Can invasive plants go in another section? Any comments? Snowman (talk) 21:47, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have done a bit more section organisation, because two of the paragraphs fit under a pollution heading. Any comments? Snowman (talk) 11:42, 29 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The article has both "northern Atlantic" and "North Atlantic". Both are the same thing, because the Atlantic is divided into North Atlantic and South Atlantic by the equator. It there a reason for using both these two terms or could consistency be improved? I think that using "North Atlantic" consistently might be better. Snowman (talk) 21:47, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think they are different. The North Atlantic might be the part of the Atlantic north of a line joining West Africa with Brazil - some of it is tropical. The northern Atlantic means the colder more northerly parts. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)
 * There seems to be some uncertainty. The Wiki article Atlantic Ocean might have some answers. Snowman (talk) 19:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The article sometimes uses both "puffin" and "Puffin" for the Atlantic Puffin. Please advise which is the correct capitalisation of "puffin". Snowman (talk) 22:09, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * There are places, as in the Taxonomy section where "puffin" is more suitable. I thought I had sorted out the other places where it should be "Puffin" but have now done so again. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I see. Snowman (talk) 19:56, 29 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The Latin "fratercula" means "little brother" according to the google translator. This meaning is also given in the Wiki puffin genus page. I do not know much about Latin. Why does this article say that it means "friar"? Snowman (talk) 22:40, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Because that is what it says in the source. The word "brother" comes from the same source. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I do not understand Latin. Snowman (talk) 19:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The caption for the postage stamp is "Faroe Islands 1978 postal stamp FR 31 by Holger Philipsen". What does "FR 31" mean? Snowman (talk) 11:35, 29 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Removed. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)


 * 60% of the total puffin population nest on Iceland, so I think it is reasonable to add a bit more about the puffins there. Apparently there was a 30 year ban on puffin hunting after marked declines noted in 1900, also there have been recent calls for another total hunting ban on Iceland following recent population declines. I have linked web pages to advance discussion of the topic, but they might not be reliable sources. Perhaps, books on the history of Iceland might have more on the near extirpation of Puffins from some of the Icelandic islands and the 30 year hunting ban, if the linked website is correct. Snowman (talk) 11:51, 29 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added a sentence. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think that a bit more is needed about the Icelandic populations. The marked reduction in the Puffin population on Iceland around 1900 and the 30 year hunting ban sound very significant in the history of the species to me and I think that these are significant omissions in the article, if the linked website is correct (the same webpage is used as a RS for something else in the article). Snowman (talk) 19:55, 29 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added more information on the Icelandic population. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:44, 31 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Possible omission. In France, two puffins are the mascot of the LPO; see fr:Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux. Snowman (talk) 12:31, 30 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Added. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:44, 31 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Provisional impression. The article is good, but I am still finding issues with the article and I think that more copy editing is needed prior to promotion to FA status. Please note that I do not have a lot of time for editing at this juncture, but I might have a little time each day or every other day to look at this article. Snowman (talk) 14:17, 18 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I'm also busy at the moment, people keep inviting themselves to stay unexpectedly, but I will deal with your comments shortly. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:47, 18 August 2013 (UTC)


 * Provisional impression 2. I edit bird pages and I have edited this article mostly during the FAC, so I might have a conflict of interest; however, I have tried my best to be objective. At this juncture, I think that the article has nearly reached FA status. I have not focused on MoS issues. I have not systematically spot-checked sources. I think that there is a significant major omission about fluctuation of puffin populations on Iceland (where about 60% of the world's Atlantic Puffins nest) and a 30-year hunting ban there in the early 20th century (if the web-page that I linked above is correct). Also, I think that there are a few minor issues that need further discussion and perhaps actioning before FA status is achieved. Snowman (talk) 11:48, 30 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Support FA status. I think that the article has achieved FA status. I have read the article from beginning to end. Snowman (talk) 14:36, 31 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Thank you, Snowman, for your detailed comments on the article and your support. You put a lot of time and effort into your review and I think the article is the better for it. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 18:19, 6 September 2013 (UTC)


 * Comment on Snowman's comments - Snowman seems to be misunderstanding sourcing principles. He suggests changing the article based on a photo he has found on Google, which supports his own interpretation of sleeping posture, and ignoring what the actual written sources say. That is original research. Furthermore, he demands adding taxa to the cladogram that are not even mentioned in the source the cladogram is based on. That is original research as well. Those comments are disruptive, and are degrading the reliability of the article, not improving it. FunkMonk (talk) 14:27, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Interpreting photos found on Google is definitely in the realms of original research and not usable (e.g. none of us here can use our own expertise to assert the implication of that photograph). Perhaps Snowman can locate a source that would support his viewpoint? However, with reference to the Cladogram, all of the changes mentioned appear to be sourced - it is definitely fine to ammend/modify the Cladogram with the latest information as it emerges. It does not have to explicitly rely on only one source. --Errant (chat!) 15:19, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your thoughts. My problem with the cladogram is not that it should rely on a single source. it is that you can not add information to the cladogram that is not in the source the structure is based on. For example, the Great Auk is not included in the 1996 cladogram. Yet it is well known that its closest relative is the Razorbill. But since it was not included in the genetic study the cladogram was based on, it is very misleading to add it to the cladogram here. Who knows where in relation to the Razorbill it should be placed? We cannot interpret that ourselves. And we cannot build on a published cladogram and combine with information not based on genetic studies, or even other genetic studies. The resulting cladogram would be an original construction, not allowed. FunkMonk (talk) 15:28, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * For the cladogram, a possible approach would be to stay with the 1996-based one, stating specifically that that's how it was in 1996, and to follow with statements sourced to the more recent science. Keeping the statemnts separate like that would avoid synthesis. Regarding the photo, half the beak is pretty obviously visible, but it's surely OR to say that the puffin is asleep. --Stfg (talk) 15:56, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I said above that the Great Auk is not mentioned in the cladogram. I have not suggested adding it to the cladogram. May I suggest that the caption or a footnote could say that the Great Auk is an extinct member of this family, and its position is not known (or whatever reliable sources say about the taxonomy). Alternatively, I wonder if the complete family cladogram is within the scope of this species article. Snowman (talk) 16:25, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have added a new cladogram including all the species from a phylogenetic analysis of Pan-Alcidae. How is it? Reid,iain james (talk) 16:37, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * My first impression is that the new improved cladogram is much better than I expected. I note that it includes the recently extinct Great Auk and that you have used what looks like an up-to-date 2013 source. Please place a copy of the cladogram on the family page. Snowman (talk) 16:48, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Ok. Reid,iain james (talk) 17:05, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * If anyone would like me to expand the cladogram then I can. The source has a cladogram going all the way to Charadiformes, not just Alcidae. Reid,iain james (talk) 18:35, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * It is up to you, if you want to expand the cladogram or not. I think that a cladogram of the order of Charadriiformes would be interesting for the page on the order of birds, but not for this page. I think that making such a big cladogram looks like an interesting challenge. Would it fit on the page? If you need to discuss it, then you could start a new topic at Talk:Charadriiformes? Snowman (talk) 19:25, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I'll try to add it to Talk:Charadriiformes when I'm done with here. Reid,iain james (talk) 19:55, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I have discussed using images as reliable sources a long time ago at Wikipedia_talk:Identifying_reliable_sources/Archive_34 and the general conclusion is that images can be used to extract non-controversial information. The image I linked above of a puffin with part of its beak under its wing was only one example of several I found. Some are captioned "resting puffin" and I could probably find more images with descriptive captions. My aim is to advance the discussion here to assist the development of the article and I was pointing out a possible inaccuracy in the article for discussion. The article says that the Puffin sleeps with its head under its wing on the basis of one reliable source. I think that it is appropriate to discus this claim here in view of apparent photographic evidence that it might sleep with only part of its beak under its wing. May I suggest that the discussion could be advanced with a literature search and perhaps an image search to attempt to find more about the sleeping and resting postures of the puffin. Snowman (talk) 16:09, 21 August 2013 (UTC)

Images
 * File:Atlantic puffin range4.jpg This is the one in use
 * File:Fratercula arctica range map.png This one could be used instead
 * I have found another range map and would like to know which we should use. Also I think we should go through the images here and find the best images. Reid,iain james (talk) 19:00, 21 August 2013 (UTC)


 * The original image shows both the breeding range and the overwintering range. The alternative map has a red area but does not state what it represents, nor from what information source it is derived. I prefer the original. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 19:10, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I think that the current map is probably adequate, but the lines look like they have been written with a shaky pen. The good thing about the current map is that is shows where the breeding colonies are. Perhaps, two maps are needed; one map can show where the colonies are and another map can show where the range is. Snowman (talk) 19:30, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * We could add the one not in use currently to Distribution. Actually we should. Reid,iain james (talk) 19:55, 21 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I like the original range map file.  Pumpkin Sky   talk  01:08, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * They are both included in the article now. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 04:48, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * I see what you mean about the map with the red range not having a source in the image description on Commons. Can this image be used on the Wiki? Snowman (talk) 08:27, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * Update: I am sure that range maps should have sources, so I have removed the map with the red range from the article. It may be possible to contact the author or to make another map. One published map of the puffins range is on BirdLife International. Snowman (talk) 09:54, 2 September 2013 (UTC)
 * The original range map provides essentially the same information as the BirdLife International one though it does not have a northern limit for the winter range. I think the present map is adequate. The birds are so seldom recorded when over-wintering at sea that the precise delineation of their winter range becomes problematic. Cwmhiraeth (talk) 10:50, 3 September 2013 (UTC)

Ian Rose (talk) 04:17, 9 September 2013 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this page.