Atlantic Puffin

The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a seabird in the auk family that breeds on coastal islands and cliffs in the North Atlantic.

The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a seabird in the auk family that breeds on coastal islands and cliffs in the North Atlantic. It is known for its brightly coloured bill, burrowing nests, and ability to carry multiple fish at once. The species spends much of the year at sea and is listed as Vulnerable globally.

Description

The Atlantic puffin is a medium-sized seabird with a stocky body, black-and-white plumage, and a distinctive multicoloured bill. Its bill is especially vivid during the breeding season and is one of the bird’s best-known features.

Distribution and habitat

Atlantic puffins breed on islands and sea cliffs across the North Atlantic, including areas in Canada, Iceland, Greenland, Norway, the British Isles, and parts of the northeastern United States. Outside the breeding season, they live offshore on the open ocean.

Diet and feeding

Atlantic puffins feed mainly on small schooling fish and occasionally on crustaceans and other marine invertebrates. They can catch several fish in one dive and carry them back to chicks in their bill.

Breeding and life cycle

Puffins nest in burrows, usually on grassy or rocky ground near the sea. They are long-lived seabirds that return to land primarily to breed and raise their young.

Conservation

The Atlantic puffin is considered Vulnerable globally because populations are declining in several parts of its range. Food shortages, especially those linked to warming seas, are a major concern.