Puffins

Puffins are small, sturdy seabirds known for their unique breeding feathers. During this time, their large bills become bright with orange, yellow, and grey patches. There are three types of puffins found across the Northern Hemisphere. The Atlantic Puffin lives in the North Atlantic, while the Horned Puffin and Tufted Puffin are found in the North Pacific. All of them stand upright on land, with black backs and white bellies. Their orange legs are placed far back on their bodies. They live in colonies and make nests by digging holes in coastal grass or using cracks in rocks on islands and sea cliffs. When it is not breeding season, they spread out over the open ocean. Puffins fly quickly with fast wing movements. They dive underwater to catch small fish, which they hold sideways in their bills. They can carry several fish at once as they return to their nests.