Puffin Diet and Size: Feeding Habits, Predators, and Measurements
Puffins, known for their vibrant, clown-like appearance, are captivating seabirds that thrive along the rocky coastlines of the North Atlantic. In the UK, they are often seen during the breeding season on remote islands and coastal cliffs.
Scientifically named Fratercula arctica, these birds have evolved to become skilled hunters, capable of diving deep into the ocean to catch fish.
Let’s have a closer look into their diet, size, and the various challenges they face in the wild, including predators and conservation concerns!
Table of Contents
The Dietary Habits Of The Puffin
Puffins have adapted to a diet that reflects their marine lifestyle and the challenges of feeding both themselves and their chicks.
What Does A Puffin Eat?
Puffins primarily eat small fish, particularly sand eels, herring, capelin, and sprats. These seabirds are excellent swimmers and can dive up to 60 metres deep to catch their prey.
Puffins have a unique ability to carry multiple fish in their beaks at once, thanks to a special hinging mechanism that allows them to hold fish while continuing to hunt for more.
During the breeding season, puffins may make several feeding trips per day, returning to their nests with beaks full of fish for their chicks. In addition to fish, puffins also consume small squid and marine crustaceans when available.
Their diet can vary depending on the availability of different prey species in their feeding areas.
What To Feed A Baby Puffin?
Baby puffins, known as pufflings, are fed by both parents during their time in the nest. The adults bring back small fish, typically 5 to 10 cm in length, which are rich in nutrients essential for the chick’s growth.
Pufflings require a diet high in protein and fat to support their rapid development. Sand eels are particularly important, as they are rich in essential oils that help the chicks grow their waterproof plumage.
Breeding Habits Of Puffins
Puffins have fascinating breeding behaviours that are well-adapted to their coastal habitats.
Do Puffins Mate For Life?
Puffins are often monogamous and typically mate for life. These loyal birds return to the same nesting sites year after year, often reuniting with the same partner. Their bonds can last for decades, given that puffins can live for 20 years or more in the wild.
During the breeding season, which usually begins in spring, puffins gather in large colonies on coastal cliffs and islands. They nest in burrows, which they often dig themselves using their sharp claws and strong bills. These burrows provide protection from predators and harsh weather conditions.
Puffin pairs engage in mutual preening and bill-tapping behaviours to reinforce their bond. They share the responsibilities of incubating their single egg and caring for the chick, taking turns to forage at sea and bring back food.
The Size & Weight Of Puffins
Puffins are relatively small seabirds, but their compact size belies their hardiness and adaptability to life in the harsh North Atlantic environment.
How Much Does A Puffin Weigh?
An adult Atlantic Puffin typically weighs between 320 to 480 grams. This weight can fluctuate throughout the year, with puffins often being heavier before the breeding season and lighter afterwards due to the energy demands of raising chicks.
Despite their relatively light weight, puffins are robust birds built for life at sea. Their compact body shape helps them conserve heat in cold waters and enables efficient diving and swimming.
How Big Is A Puffin?
Puffins are relatively small birds, measuring 26 to 29 centimetres in length, with a wingspan of 47 to 63 centimetres. Their small size is deceptive, however, as these birds are capable of remarkable feats.
Puffins have a distinctive appearance, with their black and white plumage and large, colourful beak. During the breeding season, their beaks become even more vibrant, developing bright orange, yellow, and blue markings that fade to a duller colour in winter.
Are Puffins Under Threat?
Puffins face several challenges that have led to concerns about their conservation status. In the UK, puffins are currently on the Red List of UK Birds of Conservation Concern, indicating that they are of the highest conservation priority.
Globally, the Atlantic Puffin is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
What Eats A Puffin?
Puffins face various predators both on land and at sea. On their breeding grounds, gulls and skuas are major threats, often preying on puffin eggs and chicks. Some larger gulls may even attack adult puffins.
At sea, puffins can fall prey to large fish such as cod, as well as marine mammals like seals. In some areas, great black-backed gulls have been observed specialising in hunting adult puffins.
Human activities also pose indirect threats to puffins. Overfishing can reduce their food supply, while pollution and climate change affect their habitats and prey availability.
Where Can I See Puffins In The UK?
The UK is home to several important puffin colonies, many of which are located on remote islands and coastal cliffs. Some of the best places to see puffins in the UK include The Farne Islands, Northumberland, which is one of the most famous puffin colonies, home to thousands of breeding pairs each summer.
Skomer Island in Wales and The Isle of May in Scotland are other significant sites that offer excellent opportunities to see puffins up close.
SEE ALSO: Puffin Life Cycle: Nest Building To Fledging (and everything in between)
Frequently Asked Questions
The colourful beak is a feature of the breeding season. It helps puffins attract mates and serves as a signal of the bird’s health and fitness.
Yes, puffins spend most of the year at sea and only come to land to breed. After the breeding season, they disperse widely across the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.
Despite their somewhat awkward appearance on land, puffins are excellent flyers. They can flap their wings up to 400 times per minute and reach speeds of up to 55 mph (88 km/h).
