National Aquarium – Atlantic Puffin
Balt, MD

Atlantic Puffin

Fratercula arctica

DID YOU KNOW?

Puffins are sometimes called the "parrots of the sea."

Exhibit Name and Location:
Baltimore - Sea Cliffs

Add to Trip Planner

FPO Image FPO Image FPO Image FPO Image FPO Image
Balt, MD

Atlantic Puffin

Atlantic puffins can be recognized by their large, triangular-shaped bill with red-orange tip and blue-gray base surrounded by yellow. They have black upperparts with white underneath, orange legs and feet, and pale gray to white faces and cheeks.

Diet

Atlantic puffins eat several types of fish. Zooplanktons (euphausiids, mysids, and copepods) are also part of a puffin's diet. At the Aquarium, we feed them capelin and silversides. 

Size

Atlantic puffins are typically about 12 inches tall.

Range

Atlantic puffins inhabit a geographic range including the coast of New England to Iceland and the British Isles.

Population Status

Atlantic puffins have become threatened by certain human activities and are rare in areas where they were once abundant.

Predators

A natural predator of the Atlantic puffin is the great black-backed gull, and introduced predators include foxes and rats.

Back to the Top

A Note From the Caretaker

Atlantic puffins are monogamous and return to the same nesting ground year after year.

 

Stay Connected via E-mail

National Aquarium - Conservation News Signup

Conservation Initiatives

National Aquarium - Costa Rica

See Our Conservation Initiatives

The Aquarium Conservation Team (ACT!) works to restore and protect habitats locally and globally.