The tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is a medium-sized seabird in the auk family. It is easily distinguished by its black body, white face and bright orange bill. Tufted puffins spend most of their lives out at sea, only coming to land during breeding season to nest. They nest in large colonies on coastal cliffs and remote islands, making them a spectacular sight for bird watchers. But finding a place to reliably see these charismatic birds can be a challenge. This article will provide a quick overview of the tufted puffin’s range and habitat preferences before highlighting the best places in North America to spot them.
Quick Facts on the Tufted Puffin
Range
Tufted puffins have a limited range along the west coast of North America. Their breeding range extends from northern California up along the coasts of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and southeast Alaska. They also breed on the Aleutian Islands and other islands in the Bering Sea. In the winter they range further out to sea, with some birds traveling as far south as Japan.
Habitat
Tufted puffins nest along rocky coastlines, cliffs, and offshore islands. They need slopes or crevices to burrow into to build their nests. Colonies are usually situated on islands free of ground predators. They prefer islands with grassy areas nearby to collect nesting material. Though they spend most of their lives at sea, access to productive marine waters is key.
Breeding
Tufted puffins return to breeding colonies in April or May. They nest in burrows dug into soil or crevices between rocks. A single white egg is laid in late May to early June. Parents take turns incubating the egg for about 40 days. Chicks fledge at around 50 days old, departing the nesting colony out to sea in August to September.
The Best Places to See Tufted Puffins
Now that we’ve covered some background on the tufted puffin, here are the best places in North America to spot these iconic black and white seabirds:
Haystack Rock, Oregon
One of the most accessible places to view tufted puffins is Haystack Rock off Cannon Beach in Oregon. This 235-foot sea stack is home to over 100 nesting puffins each summer. An observation area and trails around the rock allow you to watch puffins and other seabirds up close from land. The viewing season at Haystack Rock runs from about mid-April through late July. July is the best month to see puffins when numbers peak.
Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, Washington
Home to one of the largest puffin colonies in the contiguous United States, Protection Island in Washington’s Strait of Juan de Fuca is another prime puffin viewing location. Over 70,000 birds nest on this 316-acre refuge each summer. The island is closed to public access to protect wildlife, but puffins can readily be seen from shore with spotting scopes and binoculars. Popular viewing spots include Sequim Bay State Park near the town of Sequim and Discovery Bay near Port Townsend. Peak viewing is from April through August.
Hornby Island, British Columbia
Off the east coast of Vancouver Island, Hornby Island in British Columbia hosts Canada’s largest breeding colony of tufted puffins. Over 30,000 puffins nest here from April to September each year. The best place to observe them is Trevlac Marine Provincial Park on the island’s north end. A viewing platform allows you to watch puffins on the cliffs and flying to and from the sea. Late summer when puffins are feeding chicks is an ideal time to visit.
St. Lazaria Island, Alaska
Part of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, St. Lazaria Island near Sitka, Alaska has over 56,000 nesting tufted puffins, making it the largest puffin colony in the state. Daily boat tours to the island run from June to August, allowing visitors to hike around the island and see puffin nesting areas up close. Zodiac boat tours cruise along the cliffs, getting you within just yards of puffins on the water and in flight.
Bogoslof Island, Alaska
Located in the remote Aleutian Islands, Bogoslof Island is another top puffin viewing destination in Alaska. Annual surveys estimate around 500,000 tufted puffins nest here over the summer, the largest colony in North America. Due to its remote location and volcanic activity, there are no visitor facilities. But experienced guides offer expedition cruises that include Zodiac tours around the island for close views. These are usually run in July or August for the best puffin sightings.
When to See Tufted Puffins
The best time to see puffins is during their breeding season when they return to nesting colonies onshore. This runs from mid-April through late August across most of their range.Peak viewing is typically in July and August when puffin numbers are highest. It’s also the time puffin parents are actively feeding chicks, so there is lots of flight activity to and from the nesting areas.
Here are some guidelines for the prime puffin viewing season based on location:
Location | Peak Viewing Months |
---|---|
Oregon | Mid-April – Late July |
Washington | Mid-April – August |
British Columbia | May – September |
Alaska | June – August |
Aleutian Islands | July – August |
Mornings and evenings are typically best for puffin watching when birds are most actively commuting. Bring binoculars for spotting puffins on the water and zoom lenses if you want nice photographs. Be prepared to spend a few hours watching and waiting for good sightings. Tours and charters are worth considering to get you the closest possible access.
How to View Tufted Puffins Responsibly
When viewing puffins and other seabirds, it’s important to be responsible and minimize disturbance to these sensitive coastal ecosystems. Here are some guidelines for responsible puffin watching:
– Observe from established viewing areas, trails, or platforms at a distance. Avoid approaching or flushing birds.
– Respect all island or refuge access restrictions and closures. Many puffin colonies are on protected lands with limited entry.
– Never attempt to feed, handle, or touch puffins. This stresses the birds and habituates them to humans.
– Keep noise levels down around nesting colonies. Loud noises may cause puffins to abandon their nests.
– Don’t photograph birds at very close range with flash. This can startle and disrupt their natural behavior.
– Avoid visiting colonies during night or in very bad weather when birds could get grounded.
– Follow instructions from guides, rangers, or local experts on how best to view puffins with minimal impact.
– Consider visiting puffin colonies as part of an organized tour that follows responsible wildlife viewing practices. This minimizes disturbance to the birds.
Following these simple guidelines will help ensure puffins and other wildlife continue thriving while enabling others to enjoy viewing opportunities.
Conclusion
With their colorful bills, expressive eyes, and clumsy waddling gait, tufted puffins are adorable birds to see in person. The best places to spot them are on offshore islands and marine sanctuaries along the Pacific Northwest Coast from northern California to Alaska. For relatively easy puffin viewing from land, spots like Haystack Rock in Oregon and Protection Island in Washington are prime choices. To get up close views by boat, tour operators in British Columbia, Sitka and the remote Aleutian Islands offer excellent opportunities. Peak viewing is typically from July through August during the nesting season. With care not to disturb nesting colonies, tufted puffins can be observed and enjoyed responsibly in their natural habitats. So head out to the coast this summer to catch sight of these iconic seabirds in one of North America’s spectacular coastal places.