Animal Profiles
Birds

Puffin

Fratercula

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Puffins are diving seabirds. This account describes the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), which breeds on North Atlantic coasts and spends much of the year at sea.

Fratercula arctica (puffin)

Representative species: Fratercula arctica.

Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Atlantic puffins breed on islands and coasts around the North Atlantic. Outside breeding periods they spend long intervals on the open sea.
Habitat
Coast, Open ocean
Diet
Piscivore
Food
Small fish, including sand lance, capelin and herring, supply most food.

Classification

Common name
Puffin
Browse group
Birds
Scientific name or taxon
Fratercula
Taxon rank
genus
Order
Charadriiformes
Family
Alcidae
Genus
Fratercula
Source classification
Aves

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its bill becomes brighter in breeding season.
  • Pairs use bill-touching in bonding.
  • Adults bring fish back to their chick.

Habitat and range

Atlantic puffins breed on islands and coasts around the North Atlantic. Outside breeding periods they spend long intervals on the open sea.

Appearance and adaptations

A dark back contrasts with a white underside. The broad bill has seasonal colour changes and can hold several small fish.

Diet and behaviour

Small fish, including sand lance, capelin and herring, supply most food. Colonies gather for breeding, often using burrows. Both partners take part in reproduction, while the rest of the year is largely spent offshore.

Sources

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