Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) — the colorful parrot of the northern seas VU

The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is one of the most recognizable seabirds of the North Atlantic. Its bright beak and striking black-and-white plumage make it a true symbol of the northern coasts. Because of its appearance and comical behavior, the puffin is often nicknamed the “clown of the sea” or “sea parrot.”

Description and Characteristics

An adult puffin is about 30 cm (12 in) long with a wingspan of up to 60 cm (24 in) and weighs around 400–500 grams. Its iconic orange-red beak with blue and yellow accents becomes especially vivid during the breeding season. In winter, puffins lose much of their bright coloration and appear more grayish.

• Body length: 28–34 cm (11–13 in)
• Wingspan: up to 60 cm (24 in)
• Weight: around 0.5 kg (1.1 lb)
• Lifespan: up to 20 years

Habitat and Distribution

Puffins breed on rocky cliffs and islands across the North Atlantic — from Iceland and Norway to Newfoundland and the coasts of Canada. In Russia, small colonies exist on the Kola Peninsula and in the Barents Sea region.

• Main colonies: Iceland, Faroe Islands, Shetlands, and Orkneys
• Spend winters far offshore, rarely coming to land
• Prefer rocky coasts and grassy slopes near cliffs

Diet and Hunting

Puffins feed mostly on small fish such as sand eels, capelin, and herring. They catch prey by diving underwater, using their wings as flippers. Their beak is specially adapted to hold several fish at once.

• Main diet: small fish and crustaceans
• Can dive up to 60 meters (200 ft)
• Holds up to 10 fish in its beak at once

Breeding and Nesting

Puffins nest in burrows or rocky crevices, forming large colonies of thousands of pairs. Mates often reunite each year at the same nesting site. The female lays a single egg, which is incubated for about 40 days. The chick fledges around 6–7 weeks after hatching.

• Colonial breeders with dense nesting sites
• Parents feed chicks with freshly caught fish
• Chicks leave the nest at night, heading straight for the sea

Interesting Facts about Puffins

• Can reach speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph) in flight
• Spend winters entirely at sea, resting on the waves
• Their bright beak fades after breeding season
• Young puffins return to breed only after several years at sea

Conservation and Population

While not yet endangered, puffin populations are declining due to overfishing, pollution, and climate change affecting fish availability. Iceland and Norway have implemented protection programs and regular population monitoring.

Listen to the Puffin’s Call

You can listen to recordings of the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) right on this page — no need to visit external sources.