Family: Alcidae
Genus: Fratercula
Popular and common variants / subspecies / other names: Atlantic puffin, tufted puffin, horned puffin
Geographic distribution: The Atlantic puffin is primarily found along northern coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, with the majority in Iceland. Tufted and horned puffins are found along the northern coasts of the Pacific Ocean. All species winter further south along their respective coasts.
Environment: The puffin lives at sea and breeds in rocky sea cliffs on coasts or islands.
Physical description: The puffin is a stocky, chubby bird with a large head and short blunt wings. It has a large triangular bill that is colored bright red, blue, and yellow in the summer breeding season; the bright colors dull significantly afterwards as the colored plates on the beak are shed. The puffin has short legs with orange webbed feet, white cheeks, chest, and belly, and a black head and back. The tufted puffin has a black belly and yellow feathery tufts that sweep back over the head from above each eye. Puffins average 14 inches in length, with a 23-inch wingspan, and weigh approximately 1.5 pounds.
Interesting facts: The puffin is a pelagic seabird, meaning it spends little time on land. Puffins nest in colonies on rocky cliffs or sometimes in burrows. Both parents feed the infant puffling until it is very fat, then leave the chick, who must make its own way to the sea. Like penguins, the puffin is comically awkward on land, but spry and agile in the water. Its short flipper-like wings help it dive and seem to “fly” through the water. The puffin can use its wings to fly, although it must flap them rapidly. However, it is ungainly in the air and cannot travel for long distances this way.
Myths, folklore, and cultural associations: Irish folklore tells that puffins are reincarnations of monks. This association is reflected in the species name Fratercula, meaning “little brother.”
One of the common nicknames for a puffin was “sea parrot,” due to its colorful beak.
Puffins were once hunted for their meat, eggs, and hide, and puffin meat is still eaten in Iceland. However, in the Middle Ages people could not ascertain whether puffins were birds or fish, and because they could not be safely classified, eating them was forbidden.
In Yorkshire, England, puffins were associated with witches and witchcraft. As puffins are gregarious birds, to see one alone is usually considered unlucky. To avert this misfortune, regional superstitions variously advocated killing a lone bird, throwing a stone at it, making the sign of the cross, or removing an item of clothing and putting it back on inside-out or backwards.
Some versions of the Arthurian legend say that at the end of his life, King Arthur was transformed into the form of a puffin instead of a crow or raven.
The Atlantic puffin is the provincial bird of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Omens and divinatory meaning: The puffin is often laughed at for its clownish appearance and ungainly maneuvering outside the water. Seeing one may remind you to be cheerfully true to yourself, no matter what people say about you. Remember, too, that everyone has his strengths. You may not be a master of landing or taking off, but no one can touch you when you’re in your home element.
If you’re a parent or a caregiver, the puffin may be telling you that it’s time to back off and let your chick make its own way to the sea.
Associated energies: Parenting, being true to yourself, playing to your strengths
Associated season: Summer
Element associations: Water, air
Color associations: Black, white, orange, yellow, blue