Puffin
Most recognisable as the namesake of one of the world’s most famous publishers, Puffins look as though they’re either extinct or from another planet.
Often nicknamed the “clown of the sea,” this small but hardy bird thrives in the cold North Atlantic, nesting on the rugged coastal cliffs in countries like Iceland, Norway or the UK. Puffins are superb divers, using their wings like flippers to chase down schools of fish underwater.
Despite their comical appearance on land, they are strong fliers, beating their wings up to 400 times per minute to stay airborne. Puffins spend most of the year at sea, but when summer comes, they gather in bustling colonies, transforming remote islands into mini puffin communities for just a few months.
Where they live
When you’re likely to see them
The best time to see puffins is during the breeding season, from late spring to early summer, when they return to coastal cliffs and islands. Outside this period, they remain far out at sea, making them nearly impossible to spot.
Mating/nesting patterns/seasons
If you didn’t know, puffins are romantics. They’re monogamous and often reunite with the same partner each year. They nest in burrows dug into grassy cliffs or rocky crevices, laying a single egg. Both parents share incubation and feeding duties, taking turns bringing back small fish until the chick is ready to fledge.
Why it’s so special seeing them
Puffins are truly bizarre birds. They look like squashed cartoon penguins and their colourful beaks and upright stance give them an almost playful quality. What’s so special, then, is the contrast between this cartoonish appearance and their ability to thrive in such hostile environments.
Watching them fly in from the ocean, mouths brimming with fish, or standing proudly outside their burrows, is unforgettable.
Other wildlife
