Tufted puffins are seabirds found in the North Pacific Ocean. They breed along the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Russia, Japan, and Korea. During the non-breeding season they range further south to Baja California, Mexico and southern Japan.
Breeding Range
Tufted puffins nest on islands and cliffs along the Pacific coast of North America and eastern Asia. Their breeding range extends from the Channel Islands in southern California north to the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea in Alaska. They breed south to northern Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia.
Some of the key locations where tufted puffins nest include:
- Alaska – Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands, Kodiak Island, Chugach Islands
- British Columbia – Queen Charlotte Islands, Scott Islands
- Washington – Protection Island, Destruction Island, Tatoosh Island
- Oregon – Haystack Rock, Face Rock, Three Arch Rocks
- California – Farallon Islands, Channel Islands
- Russia – Kuril Islands, Commander Islands, Kamchatka Peninsula
- Japan – northern and eastern Hokkaido, island groups off Honshu
The largest breeding colonies are found in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska where it’s estimated over 1 million tufted puffins nest. Other significant breeding sites include the Pribilof Islands (300,000 birds), St. Lazaria Island in the Gulf of Alaska (230,000), and St. Paul Island (170,000).
Non-Breeding Range
During the non-breeding season, tufted puffins move south along the North American coastline. Some remain in northern breeding areas year-round if waters stay open and fish are available. Others migrate south to spend the winter off British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California.
A seasonal southward shift also occurs along the Asian coast to southern Japan and the Yellow Sea. Small numbers may wander further south to Baja California, Mexico.
Important wintering sites and concentration areas include:
- Washington – Puget Sound
- Oregon – Cape Blanco, Coquille River
- California – Monterey Bay, Channel Islands
- Mexico – Islas San Benito off Baja California
- Japan – Tateyama and Oga Peninsulas
While tufted puffins can be seen along much of the North Pacific coastline, the largest winter gatherings tend to occur in nutrient-rich upwelling zones and productive fishing areas.
Preferred Habitat
Tufted puffins nest on offshore islands and sea stacks that are predator-free and provide slopes or grassy areas for burrows. ideal habitat has rocky crevices or boulder piles for nesting cover. Neighboring waters must have ample food supplies such as sand lance, anchovies, and capelin.
During the nonbreeding season, they frequent both inshore and offshore habitats. Sheltered bays, harbors, and estuaries provide calm waters for resting and preening. They also forage over continental shelf areas, seamounts, and oceanic upwelling zones where prey fish and squid concentrate.
Population and Conservation Status
The global population of tufted puffins is estimated at 2.9 million breeding pairs. About 80% of the population breeds in Alaska. British Columbia accounts for approximately 15% of the population.
Tufted puffin numbers appear to be declining in parts of their breeding range, particularly in southern and western Alaska. However, trends vary across regions. Possible threats include oil spills, overfishing, ocean warming, and introduction of predators to nesting islands.
The current conservation status of tufted puffins includes:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- United States: Not Listed
- Canada: Not at Risk
- Japan: Near Threatened
- Russia: Not Listed
Population monitoring and protection of key breeding colonies are conservation priorities for this charismatic seabird.
Key Facts
Here are some key facts about the distribution and habitat use of tufted puffins:
- Breed along the North Pacific coast from California to Alaska and Russia.
- Nest on offshore islands and sea stacks April – September.
- Form large nesting colonies, often with other alcids.
- Dig nesting burrows in soil or hide in rock crevices.
- Winter along coast from British Columbia to California and Japan.
- Dive from surface to catch small fish, crustaceans, and squid.
- Utilize inshore bays and offshore shelf habitats.
- Global population estimated at 2.9 million pairs.
- Declining in parts of range, but stable or increasing elsewhere.
- Main threats include oil spills, overfishing, predators.
Distribution Maps
The breeding and nonbreeding ranges of the tufted puffin are shown in the maps below:
Breeding Range
Credit: Audubon Alaska
Nonbreeding Range
Credit: Audubon Alaska
Population Tables
Population estimates for major tufted puffin breeding regions include:
Location | Estimated Population |
---|---|
Alaska | 2.4 million pairs |
British Columbia | 440,000 pairs |
Washington | 18,500 pairs |
Oregon | 21,000 pairs |
California | 4,000 pairs |
Russia | 50,000 pairs |
Japan | 15,000 pairs |
Data sources: USFWS Conservation Assessment (2013), AOU Checklist Committee (2020), BirdLife International (2020)
Conclusion
Tufted puffins nest along the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean, from California to the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk. Major breeding sites include offshore islands and sea stacks. During winter, they migrate south or offshore but remain over continental shelf waters. Globally the population numbers about 3 million pairs but is declining in parts of the range. Protection of nesting habitat and prey fish populations are key conservation measures needed for this iconic seabird.