8. Procession of the Murres

At most breeding sites, murres lay their eggs on cliffs and when the chicks are ready to leave the colony, they simply jump into the ocean.

On Funk Island, the colony is on relatively level terrain, so parents and chicks form noisy processions and trudge to the sea in a manner reminiscent of marching penguins. The cacophonous departure of the young is a profound and irreversible rite of passage. With constant coaxing, crooning and chirping, tight pairs of fathers and chicks walk slowly over hundreds of metres and in a final leap of faith, jump into the cold and unforgiving North Atlantic.