Atlantic Puffin: where and when to see them

The Atlantic puffin is a compact North Atlantic seabird with black-and-white plumage, orange feet and a brightly patterned breeding bill. It spends most of the year at sea, returning to coastal colonies to nest in burrows or rocky cavities. Its charming appearance masks a demanding life dependent on productive marine food webs. Climate-driven prey changes, introduced predators and other pressures have contributed to serious declines in parts of its range.

Size

26–29 cm long

Weight

320–550 g

Lifespan

15–25 years

Status

Vulnerable

Pairs often reunite at established colonies, where billing displays help maintain their bond. A pair normally raises one chick, sharing incubation and food delivery. Adults commute between nesting slopes and feeding areas, returning with small fish held crosswise in the bill. At sea they propel themselves with their wings to pursue prey. After breeding, colonies empty and birds disperse widely, becoming much harder to observe reliably from coastal viewpoints through the winter. Pairs often reunite at established colonies, where billing displays help maintain their bond. A pair normally raises one chick, sharing incubation and food delivery. Adults commute between nesting slopes and feeding areas, returning with small fish held crosswise in the bill. At sea they propel themselves with their wings to pursue prey. After breeding, colonies empty and birds disperse widely, becoming much harder to observe reliably from coastal viewpoints through the winter. Chicks, known as pufflings, remain in the burrow until they fledge, typically after 40 days, making a solo journey to sea under the cover of darkness. Puffins are long-lived birds, often returning to the same nesting site year after year for decades.

• A pair usually lays just one egg per breeding attempt.
• Specialised mouth structures help it hold several fish while catching more.
• The bill loses some colourful outer plates after breeding.
• Its wings serve both for flight and propulsion while hunting below the surface.

Late spring and summer offer the best chance of seeing puffins at accessible breeding colonies. Exact arrival and departure dates vary with latitude and colony. By late summer many nesting slopes are empty, so check current colony guidance before planning a shore visit. Late spring and summer offer the best chance of seeing puffins at accessible breeding colonies. Exact arrival and departure dates vary with latitude and colony. By late summer many nesting slopes are empty, so check current colony guidance before planning a shore visit. From a cruise ship, large rafts of puffins may be seen on the water near breeding islands before they come ashore. Early morning or late afternoon often provide the most active viewing opportunities as birds fly to and from fishing grounds.

Breeding habitat includes grassy offshore islands, turf-covered cliff tops and rocky coastal slopes with secure nest cavities. Suitable colonies need nearby feeding grounds and limited terrestrial predators. Outside the breeding season, puffins occupy open North Atlantic waters rather than remaining beside their nesting islands. Breeding habitat includes grassy offshore islands, turf-covered cliff tops and rocky coastal slopes with secure nest cavities. Suitable colonies need nearby feeding grounds and limited terrestrial predators. Outside the breeding season, puffins occupy open North Atlantic waters rather than remaining beside their nesting islands. They often dig their own burrows in soft soil, up to a meter deep, or utilize natural rock crevices. These nesting sites provide crucial protection for the eggs and chicks from aerial predators.

Small schooling fish dominate the diet, including sandeels, capelin, herring and sprats, depending on region. Adults also consume marine invertebrates. Chick growth depends on the size, quality and availability of delivered prey, so a bill full of fish does not necessarily indicate ideal conditions. Small schooling fish dominate the diet, including sandeels, capelin, herring and sprats, depending on region. Adults also consume marine invertebrates. Chick growth depends on the size, quality and availability of delivered prey, so a bill full of fish does not necessarily indicate ideal conditions. Puffins hunt underwater, using their wings to 'fly' through the water and their feet to steer. An adult can hold dozens of small fish crosswise in its bill at once, thanks to specialized serrations on its beak and tongue.

Common name

Atlantic Puffin

Scientific name

Fratercula arctica

Animal group

Birds

Size

26–29 cm long

Weight

320–550 g

Lifespan

15–25 years

Status

Vulnerable

Identification

Its deep, triangular coloured bill and pale face distinguish it from the slimmer-billed horned and tufted puffins, which occur naturally in the North Pacific. Its deep, triangular coloured bill and pale face distinguish it from the slimmer-billed horned and tufted puffins, which occur naturally in the North Pacific. During the breeding season, the bill develops vibrant orange, yellow, and blue plates, and a triangular black mark appears around the eye. In winter, these bill plates are shed, and the bill becomes duller and slightly smaller, with a darker greyish face.