Browl

The wood browl lives in forest areas in northern Sweden and Finland, and during cold winters it may draw westwards to Norway.

The bird is best spotted by the peculiar claws with the shape of reindeer antlers. One has not succeeded in finding out why the claws have this peculiar shape, and it seems a bit unpractical to the bird, as it has to stay in the air to avoid getting stuck in the ground.

The wood browl subsists on insects and creepy-crawlies.

In spring time the browl shed its claws, and as soon as they are ice free, it does a belly landing on small forest lakes in swampy areas. Because of the awkward claws, this is the only time of the year it is possible for the wood browl to land at all.

The wood browl lays 4-5 eggs, with a size of 2-3 cm. The brood time lasts from the middle of April to the end of May.

The wood browl has been observed as far to the north as 72°.

The Ice Browl lives by the Arctic Ocean and at Svalbard.

It is recognized by the characteristic head feathers and the peculiar, elk antlers-like feet, which works both as swimming devices, and as tools to dig up small organisms by which it lives. The ice browl's favorite food is small herrings that it grabs with its long, yellow beak.

Last updated: 15/02/2001