Fratercula arctica, commonly known as the Atlantic puffin or common puffin, is a species of seabird belonging to the Alcidae family. It is a small bird, with a length between 26 and 29 cm and can have a wingspan of 63 cm.
These colorful birds are characterized by their distinctive appearance, with a small body, short, rounded wings, and a long, stout orange beak with a distinctive yellow stripe at the base.
Its plumage is primarily black above and white below, with a white facial patch contrasting the dark top of its head. During the breeding season, puffins develop a brighter beak color and display colorful plumage on their wings, with spots of white, black and gray.
These birds are excellent swimmers and divers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater in search of fish, their main source of food. They are capable of diving to significant depths and swimming at high speeds, allowing them to efficiently capture prey.
Atlantic puffins are gregarious and colonial birds, nesting in large colonies on coastal cliffs and rocky islands. They build their nests in cracks and cavities in rocks, where they lay a single egg. During the breeding season, these birds are known for their elaborate courtship behavior, which includes flight displays and vocal interactions.
Despite its friendly appearance and charming behavior, the Atlantic puffin faces significant threats in its natural habitat, including habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing of its prey. As a result, it is classified as a near threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding habitats and ensuring the sustainability of the fish populations they rely on for survival.
Approximate measurements of the cPuffin:
Scale 1:4 - 56mm
These colorful birds are characterized by their distinctive appearance, with a small body, short, rounded wings, and a long, stout orange beak with a distinctive yellow stripe at the base.
Its plumage is primarily black above and white below, with a white facial patch contrasting the dark top of its head. During the breeding season, puffins develop a brighter beak color and display colorful plumage on their wings, with spots of white, black and gray.
These birds are excellent swimmers and divers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater in search of fish, their main source of food. They are capable of diving to significant depths and swimming at high speeds, allowing them to efficiently capture prey.
Atlantic puffins are gregarious and colonial birds, nesting in large colonies on coastal cliffs and rocky islands. They build their nests in cracks and cavities in rocks, where they lay a single egg. During the breeding season, these birds are known for their elaborate courtship behavior, which includes flight displays and vocal interactions.
Despite its friendly appearance and charming behavior, the Atlantic puffin faces significant threats in its natural habitat, including habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing of its prey. As a result, it is classified as a near threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding habitats and ensuring the sustainability of the fish populations they rely on for survival.
Approximate measurements of the cPuffin:
Scale 1:4 - 56mm
