Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arctica

There are three species of puffin all of which breed in the nothern hemisphere. Only one species is found in the Atlantic Ocean. This adorable bird is one of the most photographed birds in the world and historically one of the most persecuted.

The Atlantic Puffin breeds on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Scotland, Eastern Canada, Labrador, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Maine. In winter it disburses to the open ocean often ranging far out to sea and does not gather in large flocks. This makes it less vulnerable to large oil spills in winter. Audubon observed the Puffin off the coast of Georgia in 1831-32 and it has been reported in the Mediterranean.

It is infrequently seen on late fall or winter pelagic trips out of Boston and rarely seen from land.. In winter they lose part of the bill and the face darkens..

There is a breeding colony on Machias Seal Island in northern Maine which is easy to visit. Every birder should see breeding puffins. For more information see Seabird Colonies.

Feeding The Young
One of the most astounding things about Alcids is that they feed their young whole fish. Most seabirds depend upon regurgitating food from their stomachs. Alcids also feed regugitated food at times. Here this Puffin parent returns with six small fish held tightly in the bill.

Breeding Adult
Atlantic Puffins reach maturity at about 5 years of age. The almost all white face and the groves in the red part of the bill distinguish the breeding adult. Notice the red ring around the dark eye and the yellow wattle at the hinge of the bill.

This is a juvenile puffin. Notice the dark face and bill. There is only one grove in the bill. This individual was photographed loafing around on Machias Seal Island in July by Emmalee Tarry.