Atlantic Puffin are one of the iconic birds of Maine, bringing ecotourists from all over the world to visit their colonies - mostly by boat, but a few lucky ones are actually able to land on a breeding island. Maine is at the southern end of the breeding zone, with colonies also found in Russia, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nova Scotia, and the Faroe Islands. However, for as well studied as their breeding behaviours are, we actually know amazingly little about what happens to these birds once they leave their natal islands. Most of their life is spent in a solitary fashion, out on the open ocean away from land. Locating a single bird within the vast seas is an unlikely feat, let alone maintaining the proximity or numbers to be able to study their behaviours. One they leave us in August, their lives are largely a mystery until they return the following June. Even more interestingly, once fledged, the chicks fly into the open ocean with no instruction from the parents, and do not return to land for 4-5 years - at which point they come back to their "home island" -- likely the only solid ground they will have seen since birth.
These charismatic birds are also known by some as the "parrot of the sea" - but the bright coloration is the party suit worn for the breeding season, and many of the dramatic colors in the bill will fade when the bird resumes it's solitary life after the mating season has ended. They also lose their eye "ornaments", and the feathers on the face become much darker after this partial moult. But because of their life on the open ocean, few people will ever be able to witness this more casual dress - and so we always associate the puffin with the comical party clown.
Puffins live a very challenging life. The habitat in which they survive and thrive is very wild and rugged. Their nests are in underground burrows, often along cliffs or within rock crevices. The young spend their entire lives within these nests until they are ready to fledge and leave the island to live on their own. The parents line the cavity with some softer materials such as seaweeds, feathers, and branches - which are generally gathered from the nearby environment. Fish, however, can be much more difficult to come by. Young puffins can only eat very small fish, preferably under 3 inches in length - including sand eels, herring, and capelin. The adults will also add to their diets shrimp, worms, and crustaceans when they are in coastal waters. But because the diet of the young is so specific, at times, the adults may have to fly up to 30 miles to obtain food. It is thought that this food limitation is likely the reason that puffins have a single egg per year.
Puffins have modified bills and palates to accommodate carrying many fish at a time -- with serrations in the bill and grooves in the tongue to help impale the fish. The record is 62 fish, although the average is closer to 10 fish per trip. Puffins "fly" underwater, using their wide feet as rudders. They maneuver through schools of fish, seeking out the most nutritious (high in fat and protein) species for their young. They need to be clever, particularly as they approach the island, because other species such as gulls will try and rob the puffin of it's hard work (called kleptoparasitism). For this reason, puffins may circle the island several times before heading to their den, or they may return in groups to try and maximize the chances of getting through with their own fish. Puffins can fly at up to 55 mph, and they definitely look like a black and white football shot out of a cannon when they barrel past with fish. Since they can appear from any direction (especially since some have circled the island with their prey), it is a significant challenge to photograph these speedy and intentionally unpredictable targets!
An additional delight when visiting a puffin colony is the other species of colonial seabirds that can be found there at the same time -- such as Razorbills, Common Murre, and Black Guillemots. Generally, a wide array of both terns and gulls are present, making a breeding island both a sight to behold and a sound you will never forget!
Puffins are delightful and fascinating creatures, which are still largely a mystery to us despite the fact that they have been intensively studied while in their breeding colonies. The remoteness of their existence combined with the determination for survival makes them amazing to watch - for the few weeks we can allow our lives to overlap with theirs.
Gallery of Photos
This summer I was lucky enough to spend a significant amount of time around the puffins, and took over 8,000 photos in the process! As I worked through these images, I decided to make a collectible gallery -- and limit it to my favorite 5 images. Well, I didn't make it quite to 5, but my top 7 photos are now available for sale as a collection -- as stunning metallic prints, greeting cards, and -- a limited edition Giclee framed print. Please check out the gallery by clicking the link below -- and let me know if you'd like to add any of these photos to your home!