The Atlantic puffin, cuteness overloaded

| Christie

Nicknamed ‘sea parrots’ or ‘sea clowns’ for their cute appearance, the Atlantic puffins are some of the most loved seabirds. Although they are the smallest puffin species, they are actually tough birds.

This pigeon-size seabird has a white face and underside that contrasts sharply with its black head, back and wings. But the most notable feature is the size, shape and the vibrant orange tip of the bill, especially during the breeding season.

The Atlantic puffin is a bird of colder waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, and it breeds on the coasts of northwest Europe, the Arctic fringes, and eastern North America. More than 90% of their population is found in Europe, and colonies are found in Iceland, Ireland, Faroe Islands to name a few.

The puffin is the official bird of Newfoundland & Labrador. About 95% of all North America’s puffins breed around Newfoundland and Labrador coasts.

Read more: 10+ reasons why you should visit Newfoundland at least once in your lifetime

From September to March, they spend the winter on the seas and oceans, regardless of the weather, flying, swimming, diving and scooping up as many fish as they can, or floating on the water. They come ashore only in April, when the mating season starts. Puffins can be seen in large numbers from early May to mid September, with a few staying till the 3rd week of September. They dig burrows for nests, and usually return to the same spot with the same mate year after year. They usually give birth to one chick only, which, around mid-August, when it is 6 weeks old and ready to spend its life at sea, the chick takes flight at night, when it’s dark. They will not return to shore for the next three to six years.

The Atlantic puffins have wings, but they are poor fliers. They must flap 300 to 400 times per minute their wings, to be able to stay airborne. Reason their flight is sometimes awkward, while they only fly short distances. Not only they are poor fliers, but they also have trouble landing gracefully, often being seen crashing, or tumbling on the grass, or into the nearby puffins.

Read more: The best things to see and do along Discovery Trail

Puffins are excellent swimmers instead, using their wings to ‘fly’ underwater while using their feet to control direction. Their body and wings are streamlined to allow for fast swimming. A puffin can hold its breath for up to one minute underwater, and can dive to a depth of 50 metres to catch small forage fish such as capelin, sand lance or herring.

Tip(s) of the day:

  • We found three viewing sites in Newfoundland, among the best: the town of Elliston (one of the closest land views of puffins in North America), Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to more than 500,000 Atlantic puffins (by cruise only), and the sea stack in front of the Cape Bonavista lighthouse.
  • Newfoundland is nicknamed The Seabird capital of North America. If you like birds, and enjoy watching them, you might want to read more: Why Newfoundland was nicknamed the seabird capital of North America
Atlantic puffin

Happy Friday🐧😍

36 thoughts on “The Atlantic puffin, cuteness overloaded”

    1. It is an unusual bird I would say. Although they are found so much time at sea, they spend most of the time floating, and swimming, comparing with albatrosses for example which are more time in the air than on the water’s surface. Reason the puffins are such poor fliers😊
      Have a wonderful day!

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  6. I love puffins, as much as I love penguins (my favorite animal 🐧). Interestingly, puffins and penguins are not the same species of birds, despite their similar appearances. All the same, I’d love to see puffins in person and it’s great you got to see them during your trip!

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    1. I think they are similar in many ways. For example I love the way they fly underwater!
      We saw some birds flying under water in Newfoundland, but then when we got home I realized they were black guillemots😊

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  9. Ahh…the enduring appeal of the Atlantic Puffin! Your photos are fantastic, Christie and puffins are such fabulous birds. I relate to their almost human expression, their vibrant red and yellow bill, and the quizzical, humorous expression in their beady dark eyes, enhanced by red rims and dark grey eyebrows. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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  13. Fabulous captures. It’s pretty fun to watch puffins awkwardly “fly” and land. We went to Elliston as well when we visited Newfoundland, but will have to keep the other spots in mind for when we return (because there will definitely be a next time).

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    1. I also loved our trip on the Eastern coast in NL, and I feel, like you, there will definitely be a next time! Thinking for a road trip along the West coast next time🙂
      Hope Christmas was kind to you, and gave you THE little present already❤️ All the best!! xx

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      1. It certainly was a special Christmas for us. Margaret was born on December 9. We’re still getting used to being parents, but everyone is doing well. We’re hoping to attempt our first hike this weekend, something nearby that’s short and sweet. Enjoy the rest of your holidays!

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  15. That was enjoyable to read ☺️ I’m planning my trips around Newfoundland for 2024 and a visit to Elliston is 100% on the list now. Lovely photos you captured of these beautiful birds. Happy new year!

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    1. This is wonderful! There is so much to see around Newfoundland, and Bonavista peninsula (including Elliston), is an amazing destination😍
      Thank you for stopping by, and have a wonderful 2024 you too!!

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