Puffin
Our Sea Safaris travel to Gulland Island, nicknamed ‘Puffin Rock’ - the place to find Puffins in Cornwall
What is a puffin?
Also known as ‘sea parrots’ and ‘clowns of the sea’, Atlantic puffins have black and white feathers with a large parrot-like beaks.
What do puffins eat?
Herring, Hake and Sand Eels.
How long do puffins live?
They can live for around 30+ years in the wild.
Fun Facts about puffins
In the winter their beaks are grey in colour but in the spring they are bright orange, which is thought to be a tactic to entice females during mating season.
Where can you see puffins in Cornwall?
Gulland Island, nicknamed ‘Puffin Rock’ is the place to Puffins in Cornwall. Just off of Polzeath, this rock is home to hundreds of Puffins in mating season.
Do puffins have any predators?
Puffins are prey to other birds and at risk of death by humans. The Great Black-backed Gull is an important predators of Puffins.
Puffin Conservation Status
Puffins are in fact listed as Vulnerable on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Puffin FAQs
Why are they called puffins?
The word puffin is thought to come from the word “puff” and when you see a swollen-looking puffling it’s easy to see why. They have a fluffy ball of dense down feathers adapted to keep them warm while their parents are off fishing.
Where can I see puffins in the UK?
Cornwall! Puffins during May and June are always along the North Coast of Cornwall, especially on ‘Gulland Rock’ which is also known as ‘Puffin Island’!
How to Identify a puffin?
Puffins are unmistakable by their black back and white underbelly along side their bright orange beak during mating season. Puffins also have a swollen look to their chest, puffed up and protecting themselves from harsh weather conditions.
Do puffins mate for life?
Atlantic Puffins do mate for life and create monogamous bonds with each other, once together they maintain that bond by ‘beak rubbing’.
Do puffins migrate?
Yes, UK puffins spend the winter at sea. Some migrate far up to 1700 km away but some stick closer to their mating grounds and only travel 250km away.
What is a puffin’s favourite food?
A puffins favourite food is a Lesser Sandeel, followed by sprat and herring.
How big are puffins?
Puffins vary in size but on average are 29-34 cm in length with a wingspan of 21-24 inches. There is no variety between males and females.
How long can puffins stay underwater?
Puffins need to eat a lot of fish each day and often dive underwater for up to a minute at a time. They can only dive up to 15 metres.
How do puffins sleep?
When out at sea Puffins sleep on the water’s surface tucking themselves into their wings.
Are puffins friendly?
Puffins while shy, are incredibly friendly, and often seen near boats.