Atlantic Puffin

Overview

Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a species of Auks (Alcidae) in the order Shorebirds, Gulls and Alcids. A clown-faced seabird with a huge striped bill, nesting in burrows on sea cliffs; carries many small fish crosswise in its bill to feed chicks; an iconic, beloved seabird of the North Atlantic.

Scientific Classification

Genus: Fratercula; binomial: Fratercula arctica; authority: (Linnaeus, 1758). Typical size: 26-29cm. Average lifespan: 10-30 years.

Distribution

Breeding range: the Palearctic and the Nearctic. Non-breeding range: pelagic in North Atlantic and marginal seas, to North Carolina in Gulf Stream of w North Pacific and to Azores (n Macaronesia, nw of Africa) and Iberian Pen..

Conservation Status

This taxon is listed as Extant (living) in the IOC World Bird List.

Remarks

Treat species as monotypic; clinal, includes grabae and naumanni (Sangster et al. 2005).