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Puffin

Fratercula arctica (Atlantic puffin)

Often called the ‘clown of the air’ the puffin is an unmistakable seabird with a black back and white underparts, distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and brightly-coloured bill. Their comical appearance is heightened by red and black eye markings and bright orange legs.

Here’s a puffin video with a few facts!

Breeding

They prefer offshore islands and high sea cliffs to breed.  They nest in burrows, under boulders or in cracks in cliffs where predators cannot easily reach them: these are called puffinries. They lay one egg and their young are called pufflings. After hatching the young puffin remains underground concealed in the nest, until the night comes for it to head for the open sea, not to return until it is ready to breed, usually some 5 years later.

Winter

Spent at sea, some fly as far as the Bay of Biscay.

Eat

Fish, especially sand eels.

Sound

A growling laugh.

Spot them

Adults arrive back at the breeding colonies in March and April and leave again in early-August. You’ll see them on the Isle of May, Fidra, Craigleith and occasionally in the stone walls of the historic ramparts on the Bass Rock.

Puffin facts