Puffins are seabirds that nest in colonies on cliffs and rocky islands around the North Atlantic Ocean. There are three main species of puffin: the Atlantic puffin, the tufted puffin, and the horned puffin. The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is the most common and widespread puffin species found in Norway.
Quick Answer
Yes, puffins are native to Norway. The Atlantic puffin is the most common puffin species found along the Norwegian coast and on islands off the coast. Norway has large breeding colonies of Atlantic puffins, with population estimates of over 1 million pairs. Puffins have likely nested in Norway for thousands of years.
Puffin Species in Norway
As mentioned, the Atlantic puffin is the main puffin species that breeds in Norway. The Atlantic puffin has black feathers on the back and crown, a white face and belly, and a large triangular bill that is red, orange and yellow in color. It is a small-medium sized seabird reaching about 30 cm in length.
The tufted puffin and horned puffin are two other puffin species found in the North Pacific Ocean. Neither of these species nest in Norway or the North Atlantic. Only the Atlantic puffin is native to Norway and continental Europe.
Atlantic Puffin Breeding Colonies
Norway has one of the largest Atlantic puffin breeding populations in the world. There are estimated to be over 1 million pairs nesting along the Norwegian coast and on coastal islands. Some of the major puffin colonies in Norway include:
- Røst – Largest puffin colony with about 500,000 pairs
- Lovund – 200,000 pairs
- Runde – 90,000 pairs
- Sklinna – 75,000 pairs
- Værøy – 60,000 pairs
Puffins nest on cliff edges and rocky slopes, digging burrows in soft soil or nesting between boulders. They return to the same nesting sites each spring. Norway’s long, rugged coastline provides ideal habitat for nesting colonies.
Puffin Habitat in Norway
The cold, nutrient-rich waters of the North Atlantic provide an ideal foraging habitat for puffins. Puffins feed mainly on small fish like herring, capelin and sand eels. These fish are abundant in Norwegian waters during the summer breeding season.
Puffins nest on offshore islands and sea stacks because they provide predator-free habitat safe from foxes, minks and other land predators. Their nesting islands are generally uninhabited by humans.
Key habitat requirements for puffins include:
- Rocky islands and sea cliffs with turf or soil for burrowing
- Close proximity to food sources like herring
- Isolation from land predators
- Low human disturbance
Norway has hundreds of suitable uninhabited islands along its coastline that serve as productive puffin breeding colonies.
Puffin Migration in Norway
Atlantic puffins are migratory seabirds that spend autumn and winter far out at sea after the breeding season ends. In late summer, adults and juvenile puffins leave their breeding colonies and migrate southwest to overwinter off the coasts of Western Europe.
By December, most of the puffins have left Norwegian waters until they return again in spring. Some immature non-breeding puffins may overwinter in northern Norway if food is available.
In March and April, puffins migrate back to Norway to re-establish breeding pairs and prepare nests. Egg laying takes place in May and June. The puffins remain through the summer to raise chicks until late August when the migration cycle restarts.
History of Puffins in Norway
Puffins have likely nested along the Norwegian coast for thousands of years since the last Ice Age. Evidence from archaeological sites shows puffins have long been hunted by humans in Norway for food, eggs, and feathers.
Traditionally, Norwegian people harvested young puffins or “lundefugl” for meat. Collecting eggs and adults was also common practice. This hunting increased dramatically from the 1600s to mid-1900s. For example, around 300,000 puffins were harvested annually on Røst up until 1900.
By the mid-20th century, many puffin colonies had declined significantly from overexploitation. In 1956, Norway banned the hunting of puffins and their eggs except for scientific purposes. With protection, populations rebounded.
Today, puffin colonies are closely monitored and protected in Norway. They generate tourism revenue through “puffin safaris” to view these iconic seabirds.
Threats and Conservation
The main threats facing puffins today in Norway include:
- Declines in food sources like herring and sand eel
- Introduced predators on nesting islands
- Ocean pollution
- Climate change and ocean warming
- Disturbance from tourism or development
To protect puffins, Norway has designated many breeding sites as nature reserves. Landing on islands is restricted during nesting season. Conservation efforts also aim to maintain healthy fish stocks for puffin prey species.
While still abundant, puffin numbers have dropped in southern Norway in recent decades. Monitoring and adaptive conservation strategies are needed to ensure long-term survival of these iconic seabirds.
Conclusion
In summary, the Atlantic puffin is considered native to Norway due to its long-established breeding colonies along the Norwegian coast and offshore islands. Puffins have likely nested in these areas for thousands of years since the last Ice Age provided suitable habitat. While once threatened by overhunting, puffins are now protected in Norway and remain an important part of the country’s marine ecosystems and cultural heritage.
