DEBBIE'S PUFFINS ON PARADE



Atlantic puffins, horned puffins, and tufted puffins are collected here. Fratercula arctica - (Atlantic puffins), Fratercula corniculata - (horned puffins), and Lunda cirrhata - (tufted puffins) are northern sea birds belonging to the auk family of birds. These puffins are sometimes referred to as the "sea parrots." Puffins do not sit on their eggs. They move up against them and cover the egg with their wing and side. Under water, puffins use their wings to swim while guiding themselves with their feet. Atlantic puffins weigh about one pound and stand one foot tall. Horned puffins weigh just over a pound and are also one foot tall. Tufted puffins weigh about one and three-quarters pounds and stand fifteen inches high. The males in all three groups weigh slightly more than their female counterpart. Puffins live about 25 to 30 years. It takes five year for puffins to mature and breed. The female lays only one egg a year. When the baby pufflings leave the puffinries, they will not touch land again for two or three years. Puffins can dive at least 150 feet deep. They can hold up to about 28 fish in their beaks. The shape and size of their bills make them easy to identify. While Atlantic puffins are the only puffin found in the Atlantic, the horned and tufted puffins are found in the northern Pacific.

Atlantic puffin
Tufted puffin