I’ve always been interested in puffins. I think it’s because they’re so cute with their bright bills. I have seen puffins in the wild during our trips to Britain, but I haven’t had a close encounter so they’re still on my list of things to see one day.
Thirteen Facts About Puffins
1. Puffins spend most of their time at sea, only returning to land to breed during spring.
2. Puffins are known for their distinctive black and white coloring and their bright orange beak. The beak is actually gray while they’re at sea and turns orange when it’s time to return to land. They’re the cutest thing.
3. Puffins are strong swimmers and can dive to 200 feet. They don’t stay underwater for long.
4. Puffins eat small fish e.g. herrings.
5. On land, they live in colonies.
6. Birds usually mate for life.
7. The females lay a single egg.
8. The parents take turns feeding the chick
9. Over 60% of the puffins are in Iceland.
10. They supplement their meals by drinking seawater.
11. Puffins choose a partner when they’re around 3 – 5 years old.
12. When a couple reunite they knock their bills together. This is called billing.
13. The puffins nest in burrows and return to the same one each year.
Source: National Geographic http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/atlantic-puffin/
http://www.animalfactguide.com/animalfacts/atlantic-puffin/
Puffin with Fish © Paul Edwards | Dreamstime.com
Have you seen a puffin before?
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September 2nd, 2010 at 12:22 am · Link
I’ve never seen a Puffin, but they sound adorable. We have a blue heron that lives on our lake. We nicknamed him Big Bird.
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:45 am · Link
Some great facts on Puffins. They’re amazing birds.
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:56 am · Link
Yes, we don’t have them down here in New Zealand.
September 2nd, 2010 at 3:01 am · Link
Hi!!!
Wow…so very very interesting. I find it sad to know that these ‘great white hunters’ —-who hunt for the sport of it are killing those feathered friends who mate for life…
September 2nd, 2010 at 3:26 am · Link
They are so cute. I live in the middle of the USA so I don’t get to see any ocean birds.
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:36 am · Link
Yes, from a distance in Oregon I think.
September 2nd, 2010 at 6:02 am · Link
Awesome information! I do like their version of “billing” than most people’s. LOL!
September 2nd, 2010 at 6:15 am · Link
They’re fascinating little creatures.
September 2nd, 2010 at 6:40 am · Link
That puffin is so cute!
Have a great Thursday!
http://harrietandfriends.com/2010/09/earl-from-space-and-the-ruler-of-the-blogoverse/
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:11 am · Link
I saw them while in Alaska. They were awesome! The boat captain said they are able to dive deeply in part because their bones are dense as opposed to being hollow like most birds. Happy TT!
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:11 am · Link
Mr. Al and I kind of knock bills together. Well, a quick kiss anyway.
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:48 am · Link
They’re so cute! Lots of interesting facts about them!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:21 am · Link
I’ve never seen them but I worry about how things like the oil spill and other environmental changes are affecting them.
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:01 am · Link
These are adorable!!
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:15 am · Link
I have never seen a Puffin but they are cute looking birds. Thanks for the facts!
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:21 am · Link
Great information on puffins. I saw a few at the San Diego World famous Zoo.
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:59 am · Link
Aww they are kinda cute. Thanks for the info.
Happy T13!
September 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 am · Link
I’ve seen puffins at the aquarium in Baltimore — a cute and fascinating bird!
September 2nd, 2010 at 1:35 pm · Link
I have never seen a puffin in person. I love birds that mate for life.
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:03 pm · Link
I hadn’t thought of puffins being in zoos.
Kristen – birds that mate for life are cool, aren’t they?
Darla – I knew I’d seen Puffins somewhere else. It was Alaska.
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:22 pm · Link
I had no idea that puffins were so prevalent in Iceland!
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:57 pm · Link
I have never seen a puffin except in pictures. Interesting birds though, I read about them in my research.
September 2nd, 2010 at 5:47 pm · Link
I love learning something new every day. Thanks! Puffin’s are so cute.
September 2nd, 2010 at 6:47 pm · Link
I’ve never seen a puffin in real life, but man are they adorable. Cool facts to know about them.
*sighs* I wish that’s what “billing” meant around my house …
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:09 pm · Link
Fascinating post. I have never seen a puffin, but they are adorable. You are starting quite a collection here Shelley. First you were talking to an alpaca and now puffins. Does your husband know you have a menagerie?
September 2nd, 2010 at 7:24 pm · Link
No, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a puffin. But then I’m very close to the geographical cetner of North America. No ocean for a thousand miles in any direction. Cute birds. It’s fun ot learn new things! :)
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:21 pm · Link
Puffins are cute. There’s even a cereal name after them.
September 2nd, 2010 at 9:35 pm · Link
I’d seen pictures of Puffins (isn’t that a cute name?), but when I saw them from a sightseeing boat on Prince William Sound in Alaska, I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. They aren’t just cute, they are beautiful! All around us in the water these fabulously colored birds floated, dived, & kept everyone enthralled,to say the least. I didn’t know all the tidbits you’ve told us. I wish I’d had your info. on that trip! Interesting writers keep us captive in lots of different ways! Thanks!
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:49 pm · Link
Tatiana – I hear you on the billing.
Becky – I was brought up in the country. I like animals.
Kai – There’s Puffin books as well. I’m not sure if that publishing company is in the US as well
September 2nd, 2010 at 11:50 pm · Link
Jean – how awesome. I’d love a really close sighting like yours.
September 3rd, 2010 at 5:29 pm · Link
I love photos of puffins, though I’ve never seen them in real life. Jean, I’m so envious. And thanks for the facts, Shelley.
September 3rd, 2010 at 8:27 pm · Link
Is it my imagination but some of the facts seem very similar to penguins. Very interesting thank you.
September 5th, 2010 at 7:29 am · Link
Shelley–my next story features a puffin biologist
Crazy thing was I set it when the puffins themselves were at sea!! 
I have seen them though, lots, off the East coast Scotland on the Isle of May (IOM features heavily in next story). I’m another person obsessed with these cute little birds :)
September 5th, 2010 at 12:00 pm · Link
I agree that puffins are adorable. And good for you that seein a puffin up close and personal is on your ‘to-do’ list! That’s an interesting thing for sure.
September 5th, 2010 at 1:00 pm · Link
Jenny – they’re very cute, aren’t they? I like the color of their beaks.
Mary – many people think they’re related to the penguin, but they’re not. their little black and white suits are very cute.
September 5th, 2010 at 1:06 pm · Link
Toni – you know I’m going to have to read that book even though your puffins won’t have pretty colored beaks.
Julie – I’m slowly crossing things off my to-do list.