The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a species of seabird in the auk family. It is also known as the common puffin or simply puffin. The Atlantic puffin is the only puffin species found in the Atlantic Ocean. It breeds in coastal cliffs and islands in the colder northern areas of the Atlantic, like Iceland, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland and parts of Maine.
The Atlantic puffin is a distinctive bird with black upper parts, white underparts, and a large triangular bill that is bright orange with a pale blue base and yellowish stripes. It spends most of its life at sea, only coming to coastal areas during the breeding season to nest. The Atlantic puffin is an excellent swimmer and can dive to impressive depths in search of fish and marine invertebrates. It has a lifespan of about 20 years.
The Atlantic puffin has several common names including common puffin, puffin, Atlantic puffin, Labrador auk, bottle-nose, coulterneb, pope, sea parrot, and tammy norie. But its scientific name is Fratercula arctica. This places it in the genus Fratercula and species arctica. The genus name Fratercula comes from the Latin word fratercula meaning “little brother”, likely in reference to the puffin’s black and white plumage resembling a friar’s robes.
Naming and Classification
As a seabird in the family Alcidae, the Atlantic puffin is related to other auks, murres, guillemots, and auklets. There are four species in the genus Fratercula: Atlantic puffin, horned puffin, tufted puffin, and rhinoceros auklet. They were traditionally placed in the order Charadriiformes but more recent genetic evidence indicates they belong in the order Suliformes along with gannets and boobies.
The Atlantic puffin was first scientifically described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the 10th edition of his influential work Systema Naturae. He originally placed it in the now obsolete genus Alca with a scientific name of Alca arctica. It was later moved to its current genus Fratercula.
The Atlantic puffin has four recognized subspecies:
- Fratercula arctica arctica – nominate, found in northeast Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and northwest Russia
- Fratercula arctica grabae – found in Faroe Islands
- Fratercula arctica naumanni – found in Britain, Ireland, northwest France, and the Channel Islands
- Fratercula arctica islandica – found in Iceland
These subspecies differ slightly in size, bill dimensions, and coloration. The nominate F. a. arctica is the largest subspecies. F. a. islandica is the smallest and darkest subspecies with more black plumage.
Physical Description
The Atlantic puffin is a stocky, short-necked bird averaging about 30 cm (12 in) in length with a 50 cm (20 in) wingspan. It is mainly black above and white below with gray to black wings and back. The head is black with a white cheek patch. The triangular bill is large, deep, and laterally compressed. It can hold several small fish crosswise in the bill at one time.
During the breeding season, the bill has a colorful cere at the base including bright orange, yellow, and bluish gray. The iris is reddish-brown and the legs and webbed feet are orange. The Atlantic puffin has a short blackish tail. It molts and replaces all its feathers annually after breeding.
Male and female Atlantic puffins are nearly identical in plumage. Males tend to be slightly larger in size. Juveniles have duller plumage overall with a smaller grey bill. The adult coloring develops gradually over several years.
Measurement | Size Range |
---|---|
Length | 25-30 cm (9.8-11.8 in) |
Wingspan | 50-60 cm (19.7-23.6 in) |
Weight | 400-570 g (14.1-20.1 oz) |
Bill Length | 3.3-5.2 cm (1.3-2.0 in) |
Habitat and Range
During the breeding season, Atlantic puffins are found in coastal areas and offshore islands of the North Atlantic Ocean. Their breeding range extends from the northeastern United States across Canada and Greenland to Iceland, Britain, Scandinavia, and northern Russia. Some key breeding locations include the Gulf of Maine, Newfoundland, Labrador, Iceland, Norway, Faroe Islands, Shetland Islands, and Brittany.
After breeding, Atlantic puffins spend the rest of the year dispersed widely across the North Atlantic and North Sea. They are pelagic seabirds and spend most of their lives far offshore where they are difficult to survey. Recent tracking studies have revealed migration routes and wintering areas previously unknown.
Breeding Range Map
Atlantic puffins nest in crevices and burrows on cliffs, rocky islands, and sea stacks. They prefer grassy slopes and soft soil for burrowing. Nesting habitat must be predator-free and provide easy access to productive feeding areas. Some major colonies number over 100,000 pairs.
Behavior
Atlantic puffins are colonial seabirds that nest in dense groups. They spend most of the year dispersed widely at sea and only come to breeding colonies from April to August. Courtship begins with pairs billing, circling, and mate-feeding at sea. The male then leads the female to potential nest sites.
The nest is at the end of a 1-2 meter burrow dug into soil or between rocks. Nest material may include grass, feathers, and shell fragments. A single white egg is laid which both parents incubate for about 40 days. The chick fledges after another 40-50 days and makes its first flight at night to avoid predators.
Atlantic puffins feed by diving and pursuit plunging after small fish, crustaceans, and other marine invertebrates. They can flap their wings to dive underwater up to 60m deep. Prey is caught crosswise in the bill and multiple items can be carried at once.
On land, their upright posture and waddling gait makes them awkward. In flight, they beat their wings rapidly in swift direct flight. They are excellent swimmers and float high on the water. When not breeding, they spend most days resting on the open ocean.
Atlantic Puffin Behavior
Behavior | Description |
---|---|
Flight | Direct, rapid flapping. Can reach 88 km/h (55 mph). |
Swimming | Excellent swimmer, floats high on water. |
Diving | Pursuit plunge dives up to 60m deep. |
Diet | Small fish, crustaceans, marine invertebrates. |
Nesting | Burrows and crevices on cliffs and slopes. |
Conservation status | Vulnerable with decreasing population. |
Population and Conservation
The global population of Atlantic puffins is estimated to number in the tens of millions of pairs. However, they have undergone significant population declines in recent decades. Their global conservation status is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to these declines.
Some major threats and challenges facing Atlantic puffin populations include:
- Reduced availability of small fish prey due to overfishing and climate change
- Disturbance, predation, and habitat degradation at breeding colonies
- Oil spills and marine pollution
- Extreme weather events and oceanographic changes
Ongoing conservation efforts aim to reduce disturbances, restore habitats, create marine protected areas, limit fisheries impacts, and monitor vulnerable colonies. More research is needed to fully understand long-term trends and mitigate ongoing declines in Atlantic puffin numbers.
Relationship with Humans
Atlantic puffins have long been hunted by humans for their meat, eggs, and feathers. This hunting pressure caused drastic declines in puffins during the 19th century. Protection measures in the 20th century allowed populations to recover across much of their range.
Today, Atlantic puffins are valued by humans for recreational birdwatching. Their colorful bills and amusing appearance make them popular attractions. Major puffin watching destinations include Maine, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands where tourists can view puffins from boats or land.
Atlantic puffins remain an important part of coastal economies and culture in many communities. They are considered a keystone indicator species for the health of North Atlantic Ocean ecosystems.
Interesting Facts
- Atlantic puffins can flap their wings up to 400 times per minute in flight.
- They are one of the deepest diving seabirds, able to plunge down to 60m beneath the ocean’s surface.
- A group of puffins on land or water is called a “circus” while a group in flight is called a “raft”.
- The Atlantic puffin carries fish like capelin, sandlance, and herring crosswise in its bill so it doesn’t slip out.
- Chicks are covered in gray down and stay hidden in their burrows while parents deliver food regularly.
- The Atlantic puffin’s lifespan is typically 20 years but some individuals can live to 30-35 years old.
- In Iceland, puffins are known as “Lundi” and in Faroe Islands they are called “Lunde”.
- Puffin eggs are favored for their large yolk and were historically harvested in huge numbers.
Conclusion
In summary, the colorful seabird known as the Atlantic puffin has the scientific name Fratercula arctica. It is the only puffin found in the Atlantic Ocean and breeds along coasts and islands from Maine to northern Russia and Scandinavia. With its black and white plumage, big colorful bill, and awkward waddling gait, the Atlantic puffin is a distinctive and charismatic bird adapted to life on the open ocean.
Atlantic puffin numbers are decreasing and the species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats on land and at sea. Ongoing conservation efforts to protect colonies, restore habitats, and reduce ocean threats aim to stabilize populations. The Atlantic puffin remains an iconic seabird and continues to captivate humans with its unique appearance and behaviors.