The Atlantic Puffin is one of the most beloved seabirds in North America, with its colorful, parrot-like bill and formal black-and-white plumage making it instantly recognizable. It can carry up to 10 or more fish crosswise in its bill at once — tiny spines on the tongue and roof of the mouth hold fish while the bill opens for more. Project Puffin, a restoration effort, successfully reestablished puffin colonies in Maine.
Best time to see a Atlantic Puffin
The best time to see a Atlantic Puffin is June–July, when about 75% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,704 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Atlantic Puffin? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Atlantic Puffin sightings near you
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