Did you know that the Atlantic puffin is also known as the clown of the sea? You will definitely see why once you see this bird!

This is the puffin that lives on the island in the Atlantic and it is the only species of puffin bird that lives in the Atlantic. A bird with a multi-colored beak of yellow, orange and grey and a clown-like face is surely a bird to be amazed by.

This bird spends its whole life at sea. They are excellent swimmers and also divers as they can dive up to 60 meters underwater in search of fish. They literally “fly” underwater. The Atlantic puffin builds its nests on cliffs where the female puffin takes care of its chick in the nest while the father puffin searches for food. They live in large colonies on coastal cliffs or islands. Their nests are built between rocks or cliffs between thousands of other puffins.

Did you know that the puffins have a mate for life?
These puffins are known for having long-lasting bonds with their mates for life. The mates often return to the same place as they search for each other year after year. As a loving sign the partners tap each other’s beaks together. That is a sign of a loving bond and affection between the two birds. They perform this as a literal performance called “billing” or “bill rubbing”.

Can you guess what a puffling is?
A puffling is the baby chick of a puffin. Isn’t that such an adorable term for a baby chick? They are such cute, small and fluffy balls of grey and brown feathers. Pufflings usually stay in nests on the cliffs until they are ready to fly at sea. In some regions, mostly islands since it has the highest population of Atlantic puffins, many local people participate in so-called “puffling rescue” helping lost pufflings find their way to the ocean as they can be attracted to the city lights instead of moonlight.

Puffins are also known for the loud growling noises they make!
They are quite vocal birds, they use their calls for many purposes. For example: to defend a territory or when attracting a mate. What is interesting is that they make a deep noise when they are underground in the nest, which may sound like a rumbling chainsaw. They make this noise to communicate between the pair. They also make melodious whistles which are used to communicate between the colony and family members. During breeding season they make specific rhythmic clicks with their beaks as a sign of a healthy bond within the pair.

As everything mentioned above we can surely see that it is not an ordinary species. The Atlantic puffin has many amazing characteristics which makes it special and gives us a reminder of the Earth’s miracles. We also have to protect these species and prevent climate change from making a threat to the one and only Atlantic Puffin!

Lara Mihajlovikj

Sources

unric.org – The much beloved Atlantic puffin in graver danger than estimated

nationalgeographic.com – Atlantic Puffin

kids.nationalgeographic.com – Atlantic Puffin

youtube.com – Puffin Hunts Fish To Feed Puffling | Blue Planet II | BBC Earthyoutube.com – The Atlantic Puffin Facts