About the Puffin

Puffins are charming and iconic seabirds known for their colourful beaks and distinctive appearance. They have a unique black and white plumage, a large, colourful beak, and orange legs. The beak is most vibrant during the breeding season, with shades of red, orange, and yellow, and it fades to a duller colour during the winter.

They are relatively small birds, with an average length of about 25-30 cm and a wingspan of 47-63 cm.

There are three species of puffins, one of which is the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), found in the North Atlantic. The horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) and the Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) are found in the North Pacific.

The Atlantic Puffin is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, while the Horned and Tufted Puffins are considered Least Concern. However, all species face climate change, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction threats.

Establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) can help safeguard critical feeding and breeding habitats.

Ongoing monitoring of puffin populations and their prey is essential for understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change and other threats.

Warming sea temperatures affect the availability and distribution of their prey.

Puffin Photography

Rosie B Wild

Puffin and sand eels by Rosie B Wild

Puffins

A cheeky leopard seal plans to bite someone

Jamie Lafferty

Puffin on Staffa Jamie Lafferty (1)

Puffins

Where to see Puffins

Puffins are found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific regions.

Interesting facts about Puffins

Puffins are often nicknamed "flying potatoes" due to their round bodies and short wings, which require rapid flapping to maintain flight.

After the breeding season, puffins shed the outer layers of their colourful beaks, revealing a more petite, duller beak underneath.

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