Quick Answer
Puffins and Atlantic puffins refer to the same species of seabird in the family Alcidae. There is no difference between a “puffin” and an “Atlantic puffin” – they are simply two common names for the same bird, Fratercula arctica. Some key facts about Atlantic puffins:
– Atlantic puffins are also simply called “puffins.” These are the same bird and interchangeable names.
– They are small, stocky seabirds with black and white plumage and large, colorful beaks.
– They nest in colonies on cliffs and coastal islands in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.
– Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea, only coming ashore to breed.
– They feed by diving underwater for small fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.
– Puffins are excellent swimmers and can flap their wings up to 400 times per minute underwater to propel themselves.
– They build nests by digging burrows in soil or hiding in rock crevices. Their nests are lined with grass and feathers.
What is a Puffin?
The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a species of seabird in the auk family known as Alcidae. It is one of three puffin species, along with the tufted puffin and horned puffin.
Atlantic puffins are also commonly referred to simply as “puffins.” The terms “puffin” and “Atlantic puffin” are interchangeable and refer to the same animal.
Some key identifying features of the Atlantic puffin include:
– Small, stocky body with black feathers on the back and crown and white feathers on the chest and belly.
– Brightly colored orange, yellow, and red beak that fades to gray and blue during winter. The beak has ribbed grooves.
– Reddish orange feet and eyes.
– They measure 25-30 cm long with a wingspan around 50 cm. They weigh 400-600 grams.
Habitat and Range
Atlantic puffins are found across the cold coastal waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Their breeding range includes:
– Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway, Greenland, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia.
– Coastal islands off eastern Canada, New England, Ireland, Britain, Scandinavia, and Russia.
– The northern Pacific coasts of Russia, Alaska, and Canada.
Atlantic puffins spend most of their lives at sea, only coming to land in order to breed. They nest in burrows on cliff tops and steep, rocky islands where there are sufficient food sources nearby.
Behavior and Diet
Atlantic puffins are excellent swimmers and divers that feed on small fish, such as herring, hake, and sand eels, as well as some invertebrates. Their diet ranges based on location and food availability.
– They can dive underwater up to 60 meters deep.
– To catch prey, puffins flap their wings up to 400 times per minute underwater to propel themselves.
– They can carry several fish crosswise in their beak at a time.
– On land, puffins waddle awkwardly and often shuffle around on their belly.
What is an Atlantic Puffin?
The Atlantic puffin is a specific species of seabird in the same family (Alcidae) as other auks, murres, and guillemots. As mentioned above, an “Atlantic puffin” is the exact same bird as a “puffin.” The single defining feature is that Atlantic puffins live and breed in the Atlantic Ocean, rather than the Pacific. There are no major physical or behavioral differences between an “Atlantic puffin” and “puffin.” They are common names for the same animal, Fratercula arctica.
Some details on the Atlantic puffin specifically:
– Also called the common puffin.
– True puffins in that they belong to the genus Fratercula, along with the horned puffin and tufted puffin found in the Pacific.
– 5 subspecies of Atlantic puffins recognized, with minor variations in size, bill, and plumage.
– The nominate subspecies, Fratercula arctica arctica, is the most widespread in the Atlantic.
– Atlantic puffins breed along the coasts of the cold North Atlantic Ocean, as mentioned earlier.
– After breeding, they migrate far out to sea and travel south in the winter. Their winter range is poorly known.
– They dig nesting burrows in soft soil or hide in rock crevices on cliffs or steep islands. Line nests with grass and feathers.
Similarities Between Puffins and Atlantic Puffins
Puffins and Atlantic puffins are in fact identical birds simply referred to by two common names. There are no major physical, geographic, behavioral, or taxonomic differences between “puffins” and “Atlantic puffins.” The similarities include:
Taxonomy
– Both belong to the same species, Fratercula arctica.
– Classified in the same genus, Fratercula, which includes all true puffins.
– Closely related to other auks in the family Alcidae.
Physical Appearance
– Stocky, short-necked seabirds with black backs and white undersides.
– Large colorful beaks with deep grooves. Beaks fade in winter.
– Bright orange feet and eyes.
– Same size range: 25-30 cm long, 50 cm wingspan, 400-600 g weight.
Habitat and Range
– Occupy the same breeding grounds along the coasts of the North Atlantic Ocean.
– Range includes Iceland, Britain, Scandinavia, Canada, Greenland, and Russia in the Atlantic.
– Same pelagic range far offshore when not breeding.
Behavior
– Both are expert swimmers and divers.
– Forage on similar small fish and invertebrates.
– Flap wings rapidly underwater to swim.
– Build burrow nests on cliffs and islands.
– Considered clumsy on land. Walk with a waddling gait.
Differences Between Puffins and Atlantic Puffins
There are essentially no major differences between puffins and Atlantic puffins since they are simply two common names for the same seabird species. However, some minor notes include:
Name Origin
– “Puffin” is a broader term referring to any puffin species. Derives from the Old English “puffin” and Latin “puffinus”, meaning “fat little seabird.”
– “Atlantic puffin” refers specifically to their range in the Atlantic Ocean vs. the Pacific.
Subspecies Variation
– Up to 5 subspecies of the Atlantic puffin recognized. While nearly identical, they have subtle variation in size, proportions, and coloration.
– “Puffin” does not distinguish subspecies differences found across their range.
Pacific Populations
– Very small populations of Atlantic puffins also breed in the northern Pacific in addition to the much more numerous horned and tufted puffins there.
– “Atlantic puffin” specifies thebird’s Atlantic origins vs. Pacific puffins.
Overall, Atlantic puffin and puffin are interchangeable terms for the same seabird Fratercula arctica with no major differences between them. Subtle geographic and subspecies differences account for the variation in names.
Conclusion
In summary, the terms “puffin” and “Atlantic puffin” are simply two common names that refer to the exact same seabird species, Fratercula arctica. There are no significant physical, taxonomic, or behavioral differences between “puffins” and “Atlantic puffins.”
Both names refer to the same stocky black and white seabird with large colorful beaks that nests in burrows and feeds on small fish. The only minor differences are that “Atlantic puffin” specifies their native breeding range in the Atlantic Ocean and may distinguish between their subspecies variations. But these names are widely used interchangeably. So whether referring to them broadly as puffins or more specifically as Atlantic puffins, these terms can be used synonymously to describe this iconic seabird of the North Atlantic.
