Atlantic Puffin
Atlantic Puffin Facts
| Size | 11-12 inches (28-30 cm) |
| Speed | Up to 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Weight | 11-17 ounces (320-480 grams) |
| Lifespan | 20-30 years |
| Food | Sand eels, herrings, sprats |
| Predators | Seagulls, hawks, eagles, foxes, domestic cats, pet dogs |
| Distribution | North Atlantic, Arctic ocean |
| Habitat | Open sea, coast |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Auks |
| Scientific name | Fratercula arctica |
| Characteristics | Penguin-like bird with a colorful beak |
Main Characteristics
Atlantic Puffins are birds that closely resemble penguins. However, they are not related to them. Additionally, they differ from penguins by having colorful beaks that can hold many fish at once. Most of the time, they inhabit open seas in colder regions such as North America, Greenland, and Iceland. They only seek steep cliffs along rocky coasts for breeding. There, they dig nesting chambers into the ground with their beaks.
Species
Atlantic are part of the family of "auks" and have two very close relatives: the horned puffin and the tufted or crested puffin.
Name
One might easily mistake Atlantic puffins for a rare species of penguin due to their black and white plumage and their upright posture. Yet, their colorful beak gives them a parrot-like appearance. Hence, they have also earned the nickname "sea parrot".
Record
Among all birds, the Atlantic puffin can hold the highest number of fish in its beak: up to 62! However, it usually carries only 10-20.
Distribution and Habitat
Atlantic puffins inhabit coastal areas in the North Atlantic. Over 60% breed in Iceland – the perfect place to observe them! There are also many breeding pairs in Spitsbergen, Norway, Denmark, and the UK. Large colonies can also be found along the coasts of Greenland and Canada – especially in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Way of Life
Atlantic puffins are diurnal. They are very social and form large colonies of up to two million individuals. They can be found either in the open sea hunting for fish or resting and breeding along the coast.
Anatomy and Appearance
Size and Weight
Atlantic puffins are roughly the size of a duck or a city pigeon. Their body length is 11-12 inches (28-30 cm), and their wingspan measures 20-24 inches (50-60 cm). They typically weigh around 11-17 ounces (320-480 grams).
Beak
Colors
Atlantic puffins are renowned for their striking beak. It shines in vibrant colors: the tip is red, the base is yellow, and in between, it features orange and gray. Interestingly, it doesn't always look so colorful. In winter, its color changes to a gray-brown. The same applies to their feet, which are pale yellow in winter and bright orange during the breeding season.
Size and Shape
The Atlantic puffin's beak is quite large and triangular, yet surprisingly narrow when viewed from the side. The upper beak is lined with numerous small, hook-like spines that help them grip fish.
Diet
Atlantic puffins are carnivorous, specifically piscivores. They primarily feed on small fish such as sand eels, herring, and sprats. Since their prey lives in the open sea, they must fly long distances, which requires a lot of energy. Therefore, they don’t just catch one fish; they gather as many as possible in their beak before flying back—up to 62 fish at a time!
Behavior
Social Behavior
Atlantic puffins are very social birds. A single colony can consist of up to two million individuals. They form large groups not only on land but also in the water. They fly together to their hunting grounds and create what are known as "rafts" when they rest together on the water. In a community, they have a better chance of survival.
The Most Self-Destructive Eco-Engineer
The Atlantic puffin has destroyed its own habitat on Grassholm Island (United Kingdom). In 1890, there were 250,000 breeding pairs there – a significant number for such a small island, which measures only 1,640 feet (500 meters) wide and 1,020 feet (310 meters) long. Today, Atlantic puffins are no longer found there. The reason is that they dig nesting chambers, which eventually led to the complete erosion of the soil by wind and rain. It's unfortunate for the puffin, but a stroke of luck for other birds. Today, Grassholm is home to the third-largest colony of blue-footed boobies, with 35,000 breeding pairs.
Senses and Abilities
62 Fish in the Beak
The Atlantic puffin tends to overfill its mouth, quite literally. Even when it already has several fish in its large, triangular beak, it manages to catch even more. Its trick: it presses the fish against the curved spines in its upper beak with its tongue. The spines hold the fish in place, as if they were on tiny fishhooks. The record for the most fish in a beak is 62.
Diving
Atlantic puffins can dive to depths of 200-230 feet (60-70 meters). They spiral downwards into the depths by using their small wings like propellers or a ship's screw. The webbing between their toes also makes their feet excellent paddles for steering. Typically, a dive lasts only 20 seconds, but they can remain underwater for up to two minutes.
Tool Use
The Atlantic puffin is the first seabird observed using "tools". It picks up small sticks with its beak to scratch its back and remove parasites. Only a few animals are capable of this, as it requires a high level of intelligence.
Speed
Atlantic Puffins may resemble penguins, but they are excellent flyers – and quite fast too! They can reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h) and flap their wings 300-400 times per minute. How many times can you mimic that arm movement in a minute? Give it a try!
Life Expectancy
Atlantic puffins can live for 20-30 years.
Enemies and Threats
Natural Enemies
In open waters, their biggest threats are predatory gulls and other large gulls. Along the coast, gulls, hawks, eagles, foxes, rats, domestic cats, and dogs prey on their eggs and chicks.
Human Impact
The greatest threat to Atlantic puffins comes from human activities. They are particularly affected by coastal development, tourism, oil pollution, introduced predators (like domestic dogs and cats), and food shortages due to fishing.
Conservation Status
According to an IUCN estimate from 2018, there are 12-14 million mature Atlantic puffins. However, puffins are considered a threatened species because their numbers are rapidly declining. In Europe, their population is expected to decrease by 50-79% by 2065. With 10-12 million currently living in Europe, this could mean only 2-3 million will remain.
Reproduction
Breeding Season
Atlantic puffins begin their courtship in early April and typically breed from mid-April to mid/late August. Once a pair has formed, they usually stay together for life.
Burrow
After mating, Atlantic puffins look for grassy cliffs with soft soil. They use their beaks to dig a burrow in the ground, which can be 30-60 inches (75-150 cm) long—sufficient to protect them from predators. The burrow is lined with feathers, leaves, and seaweed.
Egg Laying, Incubation, and Rearing
Only a single white egg is laid in the burrow. The parents take turns incubating it until the chick hatches after about 39-45 days. The chick becomes independent after roughly two months and then leaves the nest. The burrow is reused year after year.
Fun Facts
Official Bird of Newfoundland and Labrador
The puffin is the official bird of the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador. Interestingly, the popular dog breeds of the same name also originate from there.
The Atlantic Puffin Is Related To:
- Horned Puffin
- Tufted Puffin
Animals in the Same Biome:
- Black-Legged Kittiwake
- Cormorant
- Grey Seal
- Harbour Porpoise
- Harbor Seal
- Humpback Whale
- Herring
- Northern Fulmar
- Orca
- Rat
- Sand Eel
- Skua
- Sprat
Sources:
- „Assessment of methods used to investigate the impact of offshore wind farms on seabirds“ (https://www.abdn.ac.uk)
- „Puffin“ (https://www.rspb.org.uk)
- „Atlantic Puffin“ (https://www.allaboutbirds.org)
- „Puffin FAQs“ (https://hogisland.audubon.org)
- „First known tool-using seabird“ (https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com)
- „Evidence of tool use in a seabird“ (https://www.pnas.org)
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