Charismatic "sea parrots" with brightly colored bills only during breeding season. They can hold up to 30 small fish in their beak at once.

Also called: Common Puffin, Sea Parrot, Clown of the Sea

Native status: Native; populations in steep decline

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 32–38 cm (12.6–15 in); wingspan 50–63 cm
Weight320–500 g (11–18 oz)
LifespanWild 30 years; oldest documented 36
OrderCharadriiformes
FamilyAlcidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Atlantic puffin, also known as the common puffin, is a species of seabird in the auk family. It is the only puffin native to the Atlantic Ocean; two related species, the tufted puffin and the horned puffin, are found in the northeastern Pacific. The Atlantic puffin breeds in Russia, Iceland, Ireland, Britain, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and the Faroe Islands, and as far south as Maine in the west and France in the east. It is most commonly found in the Westman Islands, Iceland. Although it has a large population and a wide range, the species has declined rapidly, at least in parts of its range, resulting in it being rated as vulnerable by the IUCN. On land, it has the typical upright stance of an auk. At sea, it swims on the surface and feeds on zooplankton, small fish, and crabs, which it catches by diving underwater, using its wings for propulsion.

Source: Wikipedia — Atlantic puffin Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Black above, white below; massive triangular orange-red bill (breeding); sad-clown black mask; orange feet.

Similar species. Other puffin species (Pacific). Razorbill (black bill, no orange).

Voice. Quiet on land; growls and grunts from burrows.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small fish (sand lance, herring, hake), caught underwater. Can hold 10+ fish crosswise in bill.

Behavior. Nests in burrows on coastal islands; underground colonies of thousands. Returns to natal cliff to breed.

§ Range

North Atlantic; nests on US East Coast islands (Maine in particular)

§ Habitat

Coastal cliffs and burrows on remote islands; open ocean rest of year

§ Threats

Climate-driven prey shifts (especially herring and capelin), oil spills, invasive predators on nesting islands.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the atlantic puffin is currently classified as Vulnerable.

§ What helps

Support sustainable Atlantic fisheries. Reduce single-use plastics that reach the ocean. Donate to seabird sanctuary programs.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • National Audubon Society Project Puffin
  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • IUCN Red List 2021