Atlantic Puffin

Identification

The Atlantic puffin is unmistakable once you spot one. A sturdy seabird measuring 28 to 30 centimetres in length, it displays a striking colour pattern: a glossy black crown, back, wings, and tail, contrasted by a bright white body and underparts. Large, pale grey cheek patches are distinctive, and a bold black collar encircles the neck and throat. Most eye-catching of all is its broad, boldly marked red-and-black beak paired with orange legs—features that, along with its upright stance and waddling gait, have earned it the affectionate nickname "clown of the sea." Adult males and females look identical, though males are usually slightly larger. In winter, the bird moults at sea and loses some of its brightly coloured facial characteristics, regaining them during spring. Juveniles resemble adults but have darker grey cheek patches, a narrower dark grey bill with a yellowish-brown tip, and dark legs and feet.

Range & Habitat

The Atlantic puffin is the only puffin species native to the Atlantic Ocean and breeds across a wide range spanning Russia, Iceland, Ireland, Britain, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and the Faroe Islands, extending as far south as Maine in the west and France in the east. It is most commonly found in the Westman Islands, Iceland. Although the species maintains a large overall population, it has declined rapidly in parts of its range and is now rated as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Atlantic puffins spend autumn and winter in the open ocean of the cold northern seas, returning to coastal areas at the start of the breeding season in late spring. They nest in clifftop colonies, typically on islands with few or no terrestrial predators, where they dig burrows in which to lay their eggs.

Behaviour & Diet

At sea, the Atlantic puffin swims on the surface and is an accomplished diver, using its wings for underwater propulsion to catch zooplankton, small fish, and crabs. During the breeding season, these birds return to land and establish clifftop colonies where they excavate burrows, each pair laying a single white egg. Chicks are fed mostly on whole fish and grow rapidly, fledging fully after about six weeks before making their way to the sea at night. Once at sea, young puffins do not return to land for several years.

Adult birds and newly fledged chicks face predation from aerial hunters such as gulls and skuas, which sometimes force puffins to drop the fish they are carrying in their beaks. The species' distinctive appearance, large colourful bill, waddling gait, and behaviour have made it popular in culture—it is the official bird of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Best Time & Places to See It

The best time to observe Atlantic puffins is during the breeding season in late spring and early summer, when birds return to coastal colonies on land. The Westman Islands in Iceland are the most reliable location, being the most common breeding ground for the species. Other notable sites include coastal areas throughout Britain, Ireland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands. Visit clifftop colonies during breeding season for the best viewing opportunities, as the birds spend autumn and winter far out at sea where they are difficult to observe.

Photography Tips

The puffin's striking plumage and bold facial markings make it a rewarding photography subject. Its upright posture on land and bright red-and-black bill provide excellent colour contrast against coastal backdrops. Photograph during late spring and early summer when the birds' colours are at their brightest and most saturated—winter moult renders them considerably duller. The bird's waddling gait and characteristic behaviour offer numerous opportunities for dynamic shots. Be mindful that puffins are most active during daylight hours when visiting colonies, and observe from a respectful distance to avoid disturbing nesting birds.