Lincoln Park Zoo

Common name: Atlantic puffin Latin Name: Fratercula arctica Class: Birds Order:    Charadriiformes Description Atlantic puffins have white undersides, a black back and wings, and white cheeks. The bird’s large, orange triangular bill has blue, red and yellow highlights during breeding season.

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Range
A mostly marine species, the Atlantic puffin can be found in the north Atlantic from Canada to northern Europe.

Status
Common

Habitat
During breeding season, the Atlantic puffin nests on cliffs and islands. During the rest of the year, the bird lives at sea.

Niche
The Atlantic puffin’s diet is composed of fish, mollusks and crustaceans. The bird dives underwater to feed, using specially adapted wings to swim after prey.

Life History
Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives on water but rear their chicks on land. Mating pairs will dig burrows two–four feet deep on islands or atop cliffs to house their eggs. The male and female share parenting duties, incubating eggs and bringing food for chicks in shifts. New offspring are abandoned by their parents roughly 40 days after hatching; these chicks head to sea on their own, feeding themselves as they hone their flying ability.

Special Adaptations

• Spines in the Atlantic puffin’s beak help it gather fish to feed its young. By using the tongue to push fish up against the spines, Atlantic puffins can carry up to 30 fish at one time.