puffins

1. Bird Name
Common Puffin
Scientific (Latin) Name
Fratercula arctica

2. Appearance
The Atlantic Puffin is a delightful and charming little bird with a bright, clown-like beak uniquely colored in yellow, orange, and blue-gray in adults during the breeding season, which fades to grey during the winter period. Sporting a black crown, back, and wings against a contrasting white underpart, they’re certainly a sight to behold. Puffins have round, black, bead-like eyes that provide a sharp contrast against their white faces. Their short wings are suitable for flying as well as swimming. The sexes are similar in size and coloration, but the males are slightly larger.

3. Size
The Atlantic Puffin stands at an average of 20 cm (8 inches) tall with an average wingspan ranging from 47-63 cm (19-25 inches). The weight of these small birds varies between 320-550 grams (11-19 oz).

4. Habitat & Distribution
Atlantic Puffins inhabit the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean to the Arctic Circle spanning from North-east United States, Greenland, Northern Europe to the eastern coasts of Canada and northern Russia. Puffins prefer to nest in cliff-top colonies, digging a burrow in which a single white egg is laid.

5. Interesting Facts
Puffins are excellent swimmers, using their wings to essentially ‘fly’ underwater while chasing fish. Their beaks have a unique hinge system that allows them to carry multiple fish back to their nests. The puffin has a cultural significance in Iceland, where it is considered the unofficial national bird.

6. Diet
Atlantic puffins feed almost exclusively on small fish, like sand eels, capelin, and herring. They can carry several fish back to their chicks thanks to their specialized beak.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Puffins are known for their ‘puffin kiss’, which is a common part of their mating rituals where pairs rub their bills together. Their flight is fast and direct, aided by the rapid flapping of their wings. Puffins retain a low huffing call that resonates in their burrows.

8. Conservation Status
Although the Atlantic Puffin species is not currently endangered, according to the IUCN Red List, it is classified as ‘Vulnerable’. Factors like hunting, habitat disturbance, and the introduction of rats to islands can be harmful to their survival.

9. Lifespan
Atlantic Puffins can live up to 20 years. However, a few have been known to live several years longer, particularly in captivity where threats are minimized.

10. Additional Notes
In the Faroe Islands, Puffins are hunted for their meat and are considered a delicacy. Despite being a solitary bird often out at sea, puffins are an essential part of their ecosystem, as their guano (droppings) are a significant source of nitrogen for coastal plants. They are also an essential food source for larger predators in the region.
In Icelandic, puffins are called ‘Lundi’, while in Faroese they are known as ‘Poppin’. Their beautiful coloration and unique behavior have made puffins a tourism attraction, bringing birdwatchers and photographers worldwide hoping to get a glimpse of these fascinating birds.