The diving bird of the auks family with a long pointed bill is the puffin. Puffins belong to the auks family of seabirds which includes auks, murres, guillemots, and razorbills. They are medium-sized seabirds measuring about 28-30 cm in length and weighing 500-1000 grams. Puffins are known for their distinctive colorful beak which is long, pointed, and typically yellow, orange, or red in color. Their beaks help them catch small fish, squid, and crustaceans while diving underwater. Some key facts about puffins are:
Physical Description
As mentioned, puffins have a long triangular and laterally compressed bright colored beak. Their head and body are typically black on top and white below. They have a stocky build with short wings and short legs set far back on their bodies for excellent swimming ability. Their feet are webbed for propulsion in water. Puffins have sharp claws on their toes to grip rocks. Their plumage is dense and waterproof. During breeding season, puffins develop horny plates on their beaks and their feet turn orange-red.
Species
There are four main species of puffin:
- Atlantic Puffin – found in the North Atlantic Ocean
- Horned Puffin – found in the North Pacific Ocean
- Tufted Puffin – found in the North Pacific Ocean
- Rhinoceros Auklet – found in the North Pacific Ocean
The Atlantic and Tufted puffins are the most widespread and familiar species. They have the classic triangular red and yellow bill people associate with puffins.
Habitat and Range
Puffins are pelagic seabirds that spend most of their lives far out at sea. They nest in coastal cliff areas and only come to land during breeding season. Their breeding habitat ranges include:
- Northern Atlantic Ocean – Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia
- Northern Pacific Ocean – Alaska, British Columbia, Japan, Russia
During winter, puffins migrate far out to sea where they remain on the open ocean. Their wintering range extends south to southern California in the Pacific and North Carolina in the Atlantic.
Breeding and Nesting
Puffins return to land in spring to breed and nest in rocky crevice and burrows on cliffs. Their courtship rituals include billing, mutual preening, and bobbing head movements. They exhibit strong mate fidelity, often returning to the same burrow and partner year after year. Females typically lay a single egg per season. Both parents take turns incubating the egg and feeding the chick after it hatches. The chick fledges after about 6 weeks. Predators of eggs and chicks include gulls, eagles, ravens, falcons, and bears.
Diet
Puffins are excellent divers, using their wings to “fly” underwater. They can dive down to 200 feet below the surface but typically feed at depths of 30-50 feet. They primarily eat small fish such as herring, capelin, and sand lance. They also eat squid, crustaceans and other invertebrates. Puffins hold several fish crosswise in their bill at a time. They seldom feed far from nesting areas to reduce energy spent flying.
Population and Conservation Status
Historically, puffin numbers declined significantly due to hunting for food and feathers, habitat loss, and introduction of predatory species to nesting islands. Today, Atlantic Puffin populations number in the millions across their range. The species made a remarkable recovery after the banning of hunting and protection of breeding colonies. Pacific puffin species also number over 1 million but are declining in some regions. Puffins face ongoing threats from oil spills, commercial fishing nets, declining fish stocks, and climate change. All puffin species are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Key Facts
- Taxonomic Class: Aves
- Taxonomic Order: Charadriiformes
- Family: Alcidae
- Genus: Fratercula
- Lifespan: Typically 10-20 years
- Wingspan: 50-60 cm
- Weight: 500-1000 g
- Diving Depth: Up to 200 ft, typically 30-50 ft
- Diet: Small fish, squid, crustaceans
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
Conclusion
In summary, puffins are a type of auk distinguished by their colorful triangular beak used for catching fish. They are highly adapted for an aquatic lifestyle with excellent swimming and diving abilities. Puffins nest in colonies on rocky coastal cliffs and spend most of their lives at sea. They play an important role in marine ecosystems and are indicators of ocean health. While they faced major declines in the 1900s, protective measures allowed Atlantic puffin populations to rebound significantly. Ongoing conservation efforts are aimed at protecting puffins from modern threats and preserving these iconic and beloved seabirds.
Species | Range | Identifying Characteristics |
---|---|---|
Atlantic Puffin | North Atlantic Ocean | Bright orange triangular bill, white face, black crown and back |
Horned Puffin | North Pacific Ocean | Black body, yellowish white facial disks, yellow bill with horn-like protrusion |
Tufted Puffin | North Pacific Ocean | Black body, pale yellow facial disks, yellow bill with orange tufts |
Rhinoceros Auklet | North Pacific Ocean | Black body, white facial patch, gray bill with vertical orange rib |
Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is the most common and familiar puffin species. It breeds in Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. Its distinctive bright orange triangular bill makes it easy to identify. It has a white face and belly and black crown, nape, and back. Its stout body and short wings give it a round, compact appearance. This sociable bird nests in large colonies, digging burrows on grassy clifftops. It feeds mainly on small fish such as herring, capelin and sand lance. The Atlantic puffin has rebounded from near extinction and populations now number in the millions. However, it faces ongoing threats from commercial fishing, oil spills, and climate change. Continued protection of breeding colonies will be key to ensuring the survival of this iconic seabird.
Horned Puffin
The horned puffin (Fratercula corniculata) breeds in the North Pacific along the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, and Russia. It gets its name from the horn-like black protrusion above its yellowish bill. It has mostly black plumage with a white facial disk during breeding season. The horned puffin breeds in rock crevices and burrows on steep cliffs and rocky islands. It dives underwater to catch small fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. This medium-sized puffin has a stocky body and thick neck. Horned puffin populations are generally stable or declining with around 2 million individuals. Conservation efforts are needed to protect its nesting habitat which faces threats from climate change and invasive species.
Tufted Puffin
With its signature yellow head tufts, the tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is one of the most easily recognized puffin species. It breeds along the Pacific coast from California to Alaska and across to Russia and Japan. During breeding season, it has pale yellow facial disks bordered by black, a yellow bill, and yellow head plumes. It has mostly black and white plumage. This large puffin feeds mainly on fish and nests in colonies on offshore islands and sea stacks. Populations number over 1 million but have declined significantly in California and Japan. Conservation efforts aim to restore and protect breeding colonies which are vulnerable to introduced predators and climate change impacts.
Rhinoceros Auklet
The rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) is a close relative of puffins and the only living member of its genus. It breeds along the North Pacific coast from Japan to California. Its most distinctive feature is a vertical orange rib on its gray bill. It has a white facial patch and black plumage. Rhinoceros auklets are highly colonial, nesting in tight groups on offshore islands. They are pursuit divers that catch small fish and zooplankton. Populations appear to be stable overall but are in decline in some regions. Main threats include oil spills, overfishing, invasive species, and habitat loss.