The Atlantic puffin is a charismatic seabird famous for its brightly colored bill and comical appearance. Spending most of their lives on the open ocean, puffins only come ashore to breed on rocky sea cliffs and island burrows. Remarkably adapted for both flight and diving, they use their wings to ‘fly’ underwater in pursuit of fish, and their colorful bill fades to dull grey outside of breeding season — an extraordinary seasonal transformation.
About the Puffin
Fratercula arctica
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💡 Fun Facts
01
Puffins can carry up to 62 small fish in their bill at one time, held crosswise thanks to spines on the roof of their mouth.
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They flap their wings up to 400 times per minute in flight to stay airborne due to their small wing-to-body ratio.
03
Puffin pairs are largely monogamous and often return to the same burrow with the same partner year after year.
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They can dive to depths of 60 metres and hold their breath for up to a minute while chasing fish.
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Puffin chicks are called 'pufflings' and leave the burrow alone at night to avoid gulls, never having been taught to fly or find food.
📍 Where to Find This Animal
Habitat Types:
Coastal Cliffs & Open Ocean
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