Mary Allen
Introduction: What are puffins?
Puffins are small, stout seabirds that belong to the family Alcidae. They are known for their brightly colored beaks and their comical appearance, which has earned them the nickname “clowns of the sea”. Puffins are found in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean, and are particularly abundant in the coastal regions of Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Anatomy of a puffin
Puffins are small birds, measuring around 25cm in length and weighing about 500g. They have black and white feathers, with a distinctive triangular-shaped beak that is brightly colored in shades of orange, yellow, and red. The beak is adapted for catching fish, with serrated edges that allow the puffin to grip and hold onto its prey. Puffins also have webbed feet that are adapted for swimming and diving, as well as sharp claws for perching on rocks and cliffs. Their eyes are positioned towards the front of their head, which gives them excellent binocular vision and allows them to accurately judge distances when diving for fish.