Species Profile
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arctica
Quick Facts
Conservation
VUVulnerableAlso known as: Common Puffin, Sea Parrot
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Appearance
The Atlantic Puffin is one of the world's most distinctive seabirds. It has a black back, white underparts, and a large, colourful beak.
Its head is black with pale grey cheek patches, and it has a blue-grey eye-ring, and its legs and webbed feet are bright orange. The beak is red and yellow with a blue base during the breeding season.
In winter, the beak becomes smaller and duller, the face turns darker , and the feet turn pale yellow. Juveniles resemble winter adults but have a smaller, darker beak.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Beak
- Red
- Legs
- Orange
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Atlantic Puffins inhabit the North Atlantic Ocean, breeding on coastal cliffs and islands from Newfoundland and Labrador to Iceland, Norway, and the British Isles. They are particularly abundant in Iceland, which hosts about 60% of the world's breeding population.
During the non-breeding season, puffins disperse widely across the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, rarely coming to land. In the UK, significant colonies can be found in Scotland, Wales, and northern England.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
Northern Ireland
Wales
Scotland
East Riding of Yorkshire
Northumberland
Tyne and Wear
Diet
Atlantic Puffins primarily feed on small fish such as sand eels, herring, and capelin.
They are known for their ability to carry multiple fish crosswise in their beaks, sometimes holding up to 60 fish at once. Puffins also consume some marine invertebrates, including squid and crustaceans.
They have a serrated bill and a tongue, which they use to trap food against their palate, enabling them to open their bills and catch more food.
Behaviour
Atlantic Puffins are excellent swimmers, using their wings to 'fly' underwater while hunting fish. On land, they walk with a waddling gait.
These birds are highly social, nesting in large colonies and engaging in group behaviours like synchronised head-bobbing and bill-tapping during courtship.
Calls & Sounds
Atlantic Puffins are generally quiet at sea but more vocal at breeding colonies. Their most common call is a low growling sound, often described as 'arr-uh'.
During courtship, they produce a series of deep, throaty purrs. Puffins also make a soft 'haa-haa' sound when returning to their burrows.
Nesting & Breeding
Atlantic Puffins form monogamous pairs for life and return to the same breeding sites year after year. The breeding season typically begins in April or May, with pairs engaging in elaborate courtship displays.
Puffins nest in burrows on grassy clifftops or in crevices among rocks. They lay a single white egg, which both parents incubate for about 39-43 days. The egg often becomes stained brown from the soil.
After hatching, the chick (known as a puffling) remains in the burrow for 6-8 weeks, fed by both parents. Fledging occurs at night to avoid predation, with the young puffin flying directly out to sea.
Conservation
Atlantic Puffins face threats from climate change, overfishing, and pollution. Conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding sites, managing fisheries, and reducing plastic pollution in the oceans. Several organisations work to monitor and protect puffin populations across their range.
Elevation
Sea level to 200 meters
Additional Details
- Predators:
- Main predators include large gulls, skuas, and ravens, which may take eggs or chicks. At sea, puffins are preyed upon by large fish and occasionally seals.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for puffins on coastal cliffs or rocky islands during the breeding season (April to August)
- Use binoculars to spot their distinctive colourful beaks from a distance
- Visit known breeding colonies in the UK, such as the Farne Islands or Skomer Island
- Observe from boats for a chance to see puffins diving or carrying fish
Did You Know?
- Puffins can dive up to 60 meters deep and stay underwater for up to a minute while hunting fish.
- Their beaks change colour seasonally, becoming duller and smaller in winter.
- Puffins' wings are adapted for 'flying' underwater, beating up to 400 times per minute.
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