Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata)
Description: Tufted puffins, much like the rest of the puffin species, are often referred to as the “clowns of the sea” due to their brightly-colored orange and yellow bills, their clown-like faces, and how awkward they are when maneuvering across land. They are the largest puffin species; adults are about 35 centimeters (14 inches) in length and weigh about 1.6 pounds. As seabirds, tufted puffins rely on their waterproof feathers to protect their bodies from cold water as they dive to feed. Their wings, which are rather short and stiff, help them swim underwater in a way that is similar to flying in the air. Unfortunately, tufted puffin populations have been declining, especially in Cannon Beach. Researchers hypothesize that these declines are a result of climate change, which is why it’s important to be aware of human-caused impacts on the environment.
Habitat: While breeding in the summer months, tufted puffins are found along the rocky cliffs and islands of the Northeastern Pacific Coast from Alaska to Northern California. When they are not breeding, they are out on the open ocean adjacent to these coastlines. When new tufted puffins are born, they remain out on the open ocean for a couple years before returning to land.
Nesting: Instead of nesting out in the open, tufted puffins dig burrows into cliff edges and slopes, like the grassy slope on Haystack Rock’s north side. Tufted puffins can make these burrows as deep as (and even deeper than) 5 feet (1.5 meters). Female puffins lay one egg during nesting season and both parents incubate the egg for about 40 days and care for the young puffling for 6 to 7 weeks after it hatches.
Diet: A tufted puffin’s diet consists mainly of fish. They capture small fish like capelin and sand lance by diving and swimming to depths of nearly 200 feet. Aside from small fish, they will also hunt mollusks, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
Tide Pool Tidbits:
Tufted puffins live 15-20 years.
Tufted puffins have strong, sturdy bones that can withstand the pressure of being so deep underwater as they dive for fish.
Reference: The Cornell Lab, Audubon