HORNED PUFFIN
Fratercula corniculata
DESCRIPTION
The Horned Puffin is a seabird known for its striking appearance, featuring a colorful bill and distinctive horn-like extensions above its eyes during the breeding season. It is a skilled diver, adept at catching fish underwater.
FUN FACTS
- Horned Puffins can hold multiple fish in their beaks at once | They are excellent divers, reaching depths of up to 60 meters | Their colorful bill is a sign of health and vitality during the breeding season
QUICK INFO
Lifespan15-20 years in the wild
Average Weight0.5-0.8 kg
Average Length30-40 cm
Diet TypePiscivore
Social Structurepair, they often form monogamous pairs during the breeding season
Activity PatternDiurnal
Breeding SeasonSpring (April-July)
- Habitat
- These birds are typically found in coastal areas, nesting on steep cliffs and rocky shores. They prefer regions with abundant marine life for foraging.
- Biomes
- Marine, Coastal
- Native Range
- Horned Puffins are native to the North Pacific Ocean, particularly around the Aleutian Islands and parts of Alaska.
- Continent
- North America, Asia
- Countries
- United States, Canada, Russia
- Diet
- Horned Puffins primarily feed on small fish and marine invertebrates. They are known to dive to catch their prey, often consuming a variety of fish species.
- Diet Type
- Piscivore
- Favorite Food
- small fish, marine invertebrates
- Social Structure
- pair, they often form monogamous pairs during the breeding season
- Activity Pattern
- Diurnal
- Group Size
- 5-100
- Territorial
- 0
LC
LC
0.5-0.8 kg
Weight
30-40 cm
Length
- Coloration
- black upperparts, white underparts, bright orange bill
- Sexual Dimorphism
- males and females are similar in appearance, but males tend to be slightly larger
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years in the wild
- Offspring per Birth
- 1
- Sexual Maturity
- 3-4 years
- Breeding Season
- Spring (April-July)
LC
Least Concern
IUCN Red List Status
- Population Status
- The population is currently stable, but local declines have been observed in some areas.
- Wild Population Estimate
- approximately 1 million
- Population Trend
- Stable
- Endangered
- 0
- Threats
- Main threats include climate change, which affects their food supply, and habitat disturbance from human activities.
- Predators
- eagles, gulls, and other seabirds
- Defense Mechanisms
- They rely on their ability to fly and dive to escape predators.
- Found in Zoos
- Uncommon