The horned puffin (Fratercula corniculata) is a seabird in the auk family known for the horn-like tufts of feathers on its head. But why is this unique bird called the “horned” puffin? Here is a deeper look into the naming and distinctive features of this charismatic seabird.
The Origins of the Name “Horned Puffin”
The common name “horned puffin” refers to the black, horn-like tufts of feathers that protrude above its eyes during the breeding season. These feather tufts are thought to play a role in courtship displays and territorial defense.
The horned puffin was first scientifically described by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. Its scientific name Fratercula corniculata references these horn-like tufts, with Fratercula meaning “little brother” in Latin and corniculata meaning “furnished with small horns.”
So in both its common English name and scientific name, the horned puffin is distinguished by its unique facial feathers that resemble animal horns. These names specifically call out the features that differentiate the horned puffin from its close relative, the tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata).
The Distinctive Molting Horn Tufts
During the winter months, the horned puffin sheds the feather tufts and has a more rounded head. But in spring, striking black feathers reemerge above their eyes into pointy horns up to 60mm long.
The tufts begin growing when horned puffins return to their breeding colonies in spring. They serve an important function during the breeding season from April to August.
It is thought that the horned puffin’s facial feathers play a role in mate attraction displays. Their striking appearance makes them easily visible from a distance at crowded cliffside breeding colonies. The tufts may also be used to signal aggression and establish breeding territories.
By early fall after the breeding season ends, the puffins shed their horned plumage. The horns drop off completely by winter. This seasonal molt of the facial feather tufts gives the horned puffin its memorable common name.
Distinguishing Features Beyond the Horns
Aside from its namesake facial feathers, the horned puffin has several other distinctive features:
- Bright orange and yellow striped beak that is broad and deep
- Black back and mostly white underside
- Bright red-orange feet and legs
- Broad, stocky body adapted for swimming and diving
In terms of size, horned puffins are generally about 35-45 cm (14-18 in) long and weigh 500-800 g (1.1-1.8 lb). Their wingspan is around 60-70 cm (24-28 in).
Their black back and wings provide camouflage when viewed from above as they swim on the ocean surface. Their white underside blends in with the sky when viewed from below by underwater predators.
Differences from the Tufted Puffin
The horned puffin is most easily confused with its close relative the tufted puffin. While very similar, there are a few key differences:
- Horned puffin has pointed, diagonal feather tufts; tufted puffin has rounded, vertical tufts
- Horned puffin has orange feet; tufted puffin has yellow feet
- Horned puffin has yellow-tipped beak; tufted puffin has red-tipped beak
Understanding these subtle differences is key to distinguishing between these two puffin species in the field.
Habitat and Range
During the breeding season, horned puffins nest in large colonies on coastal cliffs and grassy slopes. Their breeding range is limited to islands and coasts from northern Japan across the Aleutians and south to British Columbia.
Outside of the breeding season, they expand their range further offshore and south to California and northern Mexico. They mainly occur across the cold waters of the northern Pacific Ocean.
Some key horned puffin breeding colonies are found in the Pribilof Islands, St. Paul Island, Semidi Islands, and the Kuril Islands. Colonies are typically located adjacent to deep ocean waters where the puffins can forage.
Global Population and Conservation Status
According to the IUCN Red List, the global horned puffin population is estimated at around 1.9 million mature individuals. Their numbers seem to be decreasing but the decline is not rapid enough to be considered threatened.
So the horned puffin is listed as a species of Least Concern. However, they do face threats from introduced predators, entanglement in fishing gear, oil spills, and climate change impacts on their food supply.
Targeted conservation efforts on puffin breeding colonies will be important for monitoring and maintaining healthy populations into the future.
Diet and Hunting
Horned puffins feed mainly on small fish, krill, squid, and other marine invertebrates. Their broad, colorful beaks help them grasp slippery prey items.
They forage by diving from the surface and pursuing prey underwater with their paddle-like wings. Horned puffins can dive to depths over 60 m (200 ft) but usually forage in shallower waters closer to shore.
Some of their common prey species include Pacific sand lance, capelin, Pacific herring, and North Pacific krill. Parents carry loads of food back to their single chick in their spacious beak.
Fishing Adaptations
Horned puffins possess several key adaptations that aid their piscivorous, diving lifestyle:
- Streamlined body shape to swim underwater
- Vision adapted for underwater sight
- Ability to reduce heart rate and blood flow during dives
- Dense bones and muscles to counteract buoyancy
- Large webbed feet to propel through water
Their unique anatomy allows horned puffins to successfully pursue mobile fish and dive to impressive depths.
Breeding and Nesting
Horned puffins return to crowded breeding colonies starting in late April. They nest on grassy cliffs, rock crevices, or underground burrows.
Males establish nest sites and attract mates through courtship rituals like bill shaking, gaping, and bowing. Once pairs form, the male and female take turns incubating their single egg for around 40 days.
The chick hatches in early July and is fed whole fish by both parents until it fledges at around 6 weeks old. The young puffin leaves the nest by early September to head out to sea.
Colony Size and Nesting Behavior
Horned puffin colonies can number into the tens of thousands of breeding pairs. Nests are built close together, often within 1 m (3 ft) of each other.
Despite the crowded conditions, each pair defends a small nesting territory from neighbors. Short boundary disputes help maintain spacing between the denssely clustered subterranean burrows and surface nests.
Both parents share incubation and chick rearing duties. They can make over a hundred fishing trips per day to provide enough food for their rapidly growing puffling.
Migration and Wintering
As autumn approaches, horned puffins leave their breeding colonies and head out to sea. Some migrate south to spend the winter off the coasts of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California.
Others remain in the northern Pacific, shifting to offshore areas with productive foraging habitat. They remain far out at sea throughout the winter months.
Come spring, the puffins return north to their breeding grounds. Some individuals migrate over 3,200 km (2,000 miles) between wintering and breeding areas each year.
Seasonal Changes in Appearance
In winter, the horned puffin’s facial feathers and beak ornaments are shed. Their appearance is more muted outside of breeding season.
This seasonal shift likely provides camouflage during the winter months when they are not trying to attract a mate or defend breeding sites.
Their unique facial tufts and colorful beaks return in time for the spring courtship rituals back at the breeding colonies.
Relationship with Humans
For native communities across the horned puffin’s range, these birds have long provided food and feathers. Their bones and beaks were used for decorative carvings and masks.
Commercial hunting of puffins peaked in the late 19th century. But most exploitation has now ceased due to strict protections.
Horned puffins remain an important part of coastal indigenous culture and cuisine. But hunting is now regulated and limited to specific ceremonial uses.
Beyond subsistence use, horned puffins have value for nature tourism. Boat tours to view breeding colonies provide important economic opportunities for coastal communities.
And for the average person, the horned puffin’s unique appearance and behaviors make them a source of fascination. Their rich natural history provides insights into the wonders of evolution and marine ecosystems.
Significance of the Name
The horned puffin’s common and scientific names directly reference the distinguishing feature that makes this seabird so recognizable – its spectacular horns. These names immediately conjure an image of this charismatic bird.
By labeling it the “horned” puffin, early naturalists focused attention on the traits that differentiate this species from related auks. The common name has endured because it so effectively encapsulates the horned puffin’s most iconic feature.
So while they possess many intriguing adaptations for their marine lifestyle, it is the horned puffin’s fabulous head tufts that have rightly earned it a place in history with such a fitting and memorable name.
When you hear the name “horned puffin,” you instantly know which quirky seabird is being referred to. The name acts as a compact summary of this species’ most fabulous and unique attribute.
Conclusion
In summary, the horned puffin’s name refers to the distinctive black, horn-like feather tufts that sprout above its eyes during breeding season. These facial feathers play an important role in courtship and were noted by early naturalists, leading to the descriptive English and scientific names.
Beyond its famous horns, the horned puffin possesses adaptations for diving, swimming, and burrowing that aid its piscivorous lifestyle. This mid-sized seabird breeds in large colonies along the northern Pacific coasts and pursues fish offshore in winter.
While the horned puffin faces some conservation threats, healthy populations still inhabit coastal cliffs and islands. Its unique appearance and behaviors continue to captivate both scientists and nature enthusiasts alike.
So the next time you see an image of a charismatic seabird sporting black horns, you can thank early naturalists for giving the horned puffin such an apt and memorable name.
