Two Atlantic puffins in Elliston Aug. 19, 2024

In Elliston, Newfoundland and Labrador, Atlantic puffins, like the ones in today"s image, draw onlookers with their black and white plumage and orange beaks. As well as in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, these seabirds breed in several countries, including Russia, Iceland, Norway, and Greenland. These "sea parrots" have a wingspan of 47 to 63 centimetres and travel vast distances to mate. Surprisingly, the colour of their beaks changes seasonally; during the breeding season, it is brighter with a hint of yellow and orange. However, in the nonbreeding season, the beak sheds its yellow highlight.

© Daphne Roberts Photography/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Im ready for my close-up, Mr. DeSquirrel
Let’s go to the Ex!
Aug. 19, 2025Vancouver Island, British Columbia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov. 22, 2025Leshan Giant Buddha, Sichuan, China
Do pandas enjoy winter?
Dec. 1, 2023Lake Minnewanka, Alberta
Aug. 9, 2025International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples
Sep. 21, 2023International Day of Peace
An old bridge in a new light
May 8, 2024Marseille welcomes to Olympic torch
Nov. 14, 2023Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
Jul. 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Dec. 28, 2023Humpback whale, Disko Bay, Greenland
Sep. 20, 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
Apr. 27, 2025Coastal redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
Immersing in nature
Go fly a kite!
An archaelogical treasure
Nov. 26, 2023Fallow deer, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England
Celebrating the Scottish bard
Nov. 28, 2025Val Brandet, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy
The ancient home of the Minoans
Apr. 19, 2024Ring of Brodgar, Orkney, Scotland
A light in the coastal darkness
Nov. 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy
The world’s greatest oasis?
Dec. 4, 2023Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Hiding in the woods
Small but mighty
One giant leap for mankind
Aug. 3, 2025Blooming sunflowers
Sep. 21, 2025Sea Otter Awareness Week
Jun. 19, 2024Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya