Quick Atlantic Puffin facts
1. Atlantic puffins spend most of the year far out at…Atlantic puffins spend most of the year far out at sea and return to land mainly to breed.
2. The famous multicolored bill becomes brightest during the breeding seasonThe famous multicolored bill becomes brightest during the breeding season.
3. Outer bill plates are shed after breedingOuter bill plates are shed after breeding, leaving a smaller duller winter bill.
4. Puffins use their wings as underwater flippers while chasing small fishPuffins use their wings as underwater flippers while chasing small fish.
5. Strong webbed feet act as rudders during divesStrong webbed feet act as rudders during dives.
6. A puffin can carry many small fish crosswise in its bill at onceA puffin can carry many small fish crosswise in its bill at once.
7. Backward-pointing spines inside the mouth help hold previous fish while…Backward-pointing spines inside the mouth help hold previous fish while the bird catches more.
8. Breeding pairs often reuse the same burrow or rock crevice across yearsBreeding pairs often reuse the same burrow or rock crevice across years.
9. Both adults incubate a single egg and feed the chickBoth adults incubate a single egg and feed the chick.
10. Puffin chicks usually leave the colony at night and head directly to the seaPuffin chicks usually leave the colony at night and head directly to the sea.
11. On land puffins walk upright and can look clumsy compared…On land puffins walk upright and can look clumsy compared with their agility underwater.
12. They beat short wings rapidly to maintain fast direct flightThey beat short wings rapidly to maintain fast direct flight.
13. Colonies occur on cliffs and islands around the North AtlanticColonies occur on cliffs and islands around the North Atlantic.
14. The species eats sand eelsThe species eats sand eels, herring, capelin and other small schooling fish.
15. Changes in ocean temperature can shift prey distributions and reduce chick survivalChanges in ocean temperature can shift prey distributions and reduce chick survival.
16. Atlantic puffins can live for several decadesAtlantic puffins can live for several decades, returning repeatedly to the same breeding colonies.
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Why atlantic puffin are fascinating
Atlantic puffins are compact North Atlantic seabirds with colorful bills, deep-diving skills and underground nesting burrows. Looking at these traits together reveals how the animal solves the everyday challenges of feeding, movement, communication, reproduction and survival.
Frequently asked questions
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