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Selkies are sometimes referred to as selkie folk (Scots: selkie fowk), meaning 'seal folk'. [ a ] Selkies are mainly associated with the Northern Isles of Scotland , where they are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become human on land.
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A water bird, alternatively waterbird or aquatic bird, is a bird that lives on or around water. In some definitions, the term water bird is especially applied to birds in freshwater ecosystems , although others make no distinction from seabirds that inhabit marine environments .
A marine coastal ecosystem is a marine ecosystem which occurs where the land meets the ocean. Worldwide there is about 620,000 kilometres (390,000 mi) of coastline. Coastal habitats extend to the margins of the continental shelves, occupying about 7 percent of the ocean surface area.
When preening, a bird (such as this red lory) draws individual feathers through its beak, realigning and re-interlocking the barbules.. Preening is a maintenance behaviour found in birds that involves the use of the beak to position feathers, interlock feather barbules that have become separated, clean plumage, and keep ectoparasites in check.
Wild birds impact many human activities, while domesticated birds are important sources of eggs, meat, feathers, and other products. Applied and economic ornithology aim to reduce the ill effects of problem birds and enhance gains from beneficial species. Red-billed queleas are a major agricultural pest in parts of Africa.
Bird species often demonstrate intersexual selection, perhaps because – due to their lightweight body structures – fights between males may be ineffective or impractical. Therefore, male birds commonly use the following methods to try to seduce the females: Colour: Some species have ornate, diverse, and often colourful feathers.
Birds communicate with their flockmates through song, calls, and body language. Studies have shown that the intricate territorial songs of some birds must be learned at an early age, and that the memory of the song will serve the bird for the rest of its life. Some bird species are able to communicate in several regional varieties of their songs.