Everything You Need to Know About Puffins

Rabbie
Posted on 7 Feb 2022

How much do you know about Puffins? Maybe that they’re birds and that's it? While they’re not the most conventional animal to be found across the UK and Ireland, they can be found within Scotland. So let's share the top 10 reasons for taking a trip to see the Puffins in the Scottish regions this year. We’re sure once you’ve seen them in person, it will be their innocent looks, and even more extraordinary behaviours that capture your heart.

Coming up in this article: 

• Where Can Puffins Be Found in the UK & Ireland? 
• Are Puffins Endangered? 
• 10 Puffin Facts Everyone Should Know 

Where Can Puffins Be Found in the UK & Ireland? 

In the UK, your best chance of seeing a Puffin will be if you tour the Scottish regions, namely the islands of Staffa and Orkeny. While wild animals can be unpredictable, one thing we do know is their breeding season ranges from May to June. But unfortunatly we can’t garantee you’ll see them when on one of our small-group tours. If you’re lucky to take a trip to Ireland, Consider adding the Cliffs of Moher as a stopping point for your best chances of seeing puffins. Alternatively, Skomer Island off the coast of Wales have had sightings of these birds too.

For outside the UK and Ireland, puffins are notoriously found within Iceland and have been seen on all coasts (north, south, east and west). Truly a puffin paradise.

Are Puffins Endangered?

Puffins are not technically classed as endangered, but they have been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Meaning we need to protect and cherish our puffins if they are to continue to survive. 

Examples of threats against these birds: 

• In 1967, an oil spill killed 85% of the French puffins 
• Right now, sea bird trophy hunting tours around Iceland have contributed to a 23% decline in the number of puffins in just a decade 

Puffin breeding populations are concentrated in a small number of sites which means changes in fish populations or invasive species can wipe out entire colonies. 

Perhaps the largest threat is the rising sea temperature. This reduces the amount of plankton in the ocean which in turn decimates the small fish puffins eat. 

So as always, eat sustainably and tread lightly wherever you go to help save these beautiful birds. You can learn more about how you can help our puffins’ plight at the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Save Puffins. 

10 Puffin Facts Everyone Should Know

1. Puffins Spend Two-Thirds of the Year at Sea 
2. These Birds' Beauty Fades During the Winter 
3. Puffins Can Often be Referred to as Mini Flying Penguins 
4. These Birds Can Fly Underwater 
5. Nicknamed the ‘Clowns of the Sea’ 
6. Also Known as ‘Sea Parrots’ 
7. Puffins Even Have the Nickname Arctic Monks 
8. 60% of These Birds Breed in Iceland 
9. Puffins Mistakenly Have Silver Whiskers 
10. Silent Until Breeding Season

Puffins Spend Two-Thirds of the Year at Sea

For eight months of the year, puffins live on the ocean, happily bobbing up and down on the waves. These pint-sized birds are well adapted to sea life and enjoy devouring fish. When the warmer spring weather arrives, they head to land for breeding – usually around May to August.

These Birds' Beauty Fades During the Winter

Unfortunately for puffins, their unique good looks fade away during the cooler months. One of their most distinct features, the brightly coloured parrot-like beak, loses its technicolour in winter. But when breeding season starts on land, their vibrant appearance returns in time for them to attract a mate.

Puffins Can Often be Referred to as Mini Flying Penguins

Besides being black and white, these birds share more similarities with penguins. They both only have one egg per year. And males and females take turns incubating the egg and raising their young. Both species also choose just one mate for life.

These Birds Can Fly Underwater

The sky isn’t the limit for puffins. They’ve mastered both flying in the air and swimming underwater. It’s common for them to swim up to 60 metres under the surface while hunting for fish.

Nicknamed the ‘Clowns of the Sea’

Ever wondered how these birds got this nickname? Partly because of their colourful faces, but mostly for their flying skills. More specifically, their landing and take-offs. Once in the air, they’re skilled pilots and flap their wings an impressive 400 times a minute. They can even reach speeds of 80 kmph.

However, because of their wing size in relation to their overall weight and shape, their take-offs and landings are hilariously inelegant. If you ever need cheered up, perch on a clifftop and revel in the sight of face-plants, tumbles and skids from these clumsy aviators.

Also Known as ‘Sea Parrots’

People also call puffins Sea Parrots because of their tropical-coloured beaks.

Puffins Even Have the Nickname Arctic Monks

Their unusual Latin name, Fratercula arctica, translates to Arctic Monks. Back in the old days people must have thought their black feathers resembled a monk’s robe.

60% of These Birds Breed in Iceland

Love is in the air in Iceland. Well, at least two-thirds of puffins decide to breed there anyway. We’re not sure if it’s the cool climate or gorgeous scenery that attracts them, but we do know that most Atlantic Puffins choose the coastline and islands around Iceland for courtship. It’s estimated that there are between 8 and 10 million puffins in Iceland’s colony.

Puffins Mistakenly Have Silver Whiskers

Commonly mistaken for silver whiskers or a dapper moustache, you’ll often see multiple fish hanging out of a puffin’s mouth. Unlike many birds which regurgitate their food for their young, puffins carry up to ten fish in their mouths back to the burrow. These skilful hunters use their spiny tongues to press the fish against the roof of their mouths, securing the catch until they get back to their hungry chicks.

Silent Until Breeding Season

Puffins are silent at sea. But during the breeding season on land, males tilt their head back and give a piglike grunt to charm a female. And once in their breeding burrows, their growl resembles a muted toy chainsaw.

Trying to See Puffins on a Rabbie’s Tour

While never guaranteed, we do always try to stop and spot puffins if you partake in one of our tours to a puffin region. If you’re not sure on the best trips, start by narrowing down your regions to Scotland and Ireland. It’s here you’ve got higher chances of spotting the birds. And with the help of our knowledgeable driver-guides, they’re more than happy to lead the way and fill to in on all the facts we might have missed. For more inspiration on where to take your next trip, sign up to our newsletter. Delivered directly to your inbox, we share our favourite stories, newest departure points and tours, as well as letting you know our upcoming offers, including Black Friday travel deals.