The tufted puffin, also known as crested puffin, is a relatively abundant medium-sized pelagic seabird in the auk family (Alcidae) found throughout the North Pacific Ocean. It is one of three species of puffin that make up the genus Fratercula and is easily recognizable by its thick red bill and yellow tufts.
Region
North Pacific Rim
Typical Environment
Breeds on islands and coastal cliffs around the North Pacific, from California and Alaska across to the Russian Far East and northern Japan. At sea it is pelagic, frequenting productive continental shelf waters and upwelling zones. During the nonbreeding season it disperses widely offshore, often far from land. Colonies are typically on predator-free islands with grassy slopes or rocky ledges suitable for burrows.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
In breeding season, adults sport long golden head plumes and a bright red-and-yellow bill; after breeding they shed the outer bill sheath and look duller. Tufted puffins nest in large colonies, often digging burrows in grassy slopes or soil on offshore islands. They can carry multiple fish crosswise in the bill at once thanks to a spiny tongue and specialized palate. Powerful wing-propelled divers, they regularly chase prey underwater.
1895 portrait of breeding adult
Adult in winter plumage
Juveniles
Adult outside nesting burrow on the Kuril Islands
Adult swimming at the Henry Doorly Zoo
A tufted puffin swims in the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary off California.
Group of tufted puffins, Bogoslof Island, Alaska
Tufted puffins in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over the water
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies where pairs typically form long-term bonds. Nests are in burrows or rock crevices, with both parents incubating a single egg and provisioning the chick. Away from colonies it is mostly solitary or in small groups at sea.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Mostly quiet at sea, but at colonies gives low growls, purrs, and grumbling calls from within burrows. Vocalizations are muffled and carry short distances.
Plumage
Mostly sooty-black body with a contrasting white facial mask in breeding plumage and long golden tufts sweeping back from the crown.
Diet
Primarily small schooling fish such as sand lance, herring, and capelin; also takes squid and marine crustaceans. Captures prey by pursuit-diving, flapping its wings underwater for propulsion. Can dive to considerable depths and return with several fish held crosswise in the bill.
Preferred Environment
Feeds over productive shelf waters, fronts, and upwelling zones near breeding colonies, and farther offshore in the nonbreeding season. Often forages near the surface to midwater where prey schools are concentrated.
