All species
resident
Amber-listedAuks
Atlantic Puffin
A beloved seabird of the UK's northern coasts, instantly recognisable by its colourful triangular bill, tuxedo-like black-and-white plumage and bright orange legs. Puffins nest in burrows on grassy cliffs and islands, returning to land each spring to breed.
Fratercula arctica
Coastal Cliffs Islands
Size
25-29 cm
Wingspan
47-63 cm
Weight
380-550 g
Lifespan
20-30 years
Diet
Small fish, especially sandeels, herring and capelin; caught by diving underwater.
Song & Call
Low growling and grunting calls, often heard from inside nesting burrows.
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Speed
Visualizer
Recording by British Library Sound Archive · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Large red, yellow and blue bill
- Black crown and back
- White face and belly
- Bright orange legs and feet
Conservation
Amber-listed
Amber-listed in the UK; colonies are vulnerable to food shortages, climate change and disturbance at nesting sites.
