Fratercula Arctica II

Location: +51° 43’ 57.36" -5° 18’ 9.40"

The Puffin, often called the “sea parrot,” is a small bird measuring about 25 cm in length. Its distinctive beak changes colour with the seasons: in winter, it turns a muted grey, but in spring, it transforms into a striking bright orange. This vibrant hue plays a key role in attracting potential mates.

During spring and summer, puffins gather in large colonies to breed. Most pairs remain monogamous for life, with some relationships lasting over 20 years. When nesting season arrives, they use their beaks to dig burrows—often in grassy or rocky terrain. At the end of these tunnels, they line their nests with grass and feathers.

Like penguins, puffins lay just one egg per breeding season, which both parents incubate for around 40 days until hatching. These birds are equally skilled in the air and underwater. In flight, they can reach speeds of 88 km/h, while their dives can plunge up to 60 meters as they hunt for prey like sand eels and hake.

However, puffins face significant threats. Seagulls are their natural predators, but human activities pose even greater risks. Overfishing depletes their food sources, and pollution, particularly oil spills, further endangers their survival.