Horned Puffin

Horned Puffins are very similar to the Atlantic Puffin of the Atlantic Coast, but are found along the Pacific Coast, primarily around Alaska and the west coast of Canada.  They are also larger than their close relative in the Atlantic, and have different colors on their bills.  Horned Puffins nest on rocky islands on the coastline of Alaska and the Aleutians, but in winter may range widely through the North Pacific.  The Tufted Puffin also shares much of the same habitat as the Horned Puffin, but with a good view, the two species are generally easy to differentiate.   The photo on the right shows an adult Horned Puffin with a beakful of fish, a common sight when Puffins are raising their (single) chick and foraging for food to bring back to the nest. 

Habitat: Breeds on rocky islands, using crevices on rocky cliffs or burrows for nesting.  In summer during the breeding season, they are primarily found near the coastline and their breeding grounds, but in winter, they may be found far out in the open Pacific Ocean.

Diet: Fish makes up a majority of the diet, with capelin and sand lance particularly preferred.  While the young are fed a diet of almost entirely fish, the adults will also feed on squid, crustaceans, and marine worms.

Behavior: During the summer breeding months, they are typically found nesting in colonies, often in conjunction with other Alcids.   Food is acquired by swimming underwater and capturing fish and other prey with their beaks. 

Nesting: Horned Puffins typically nest in burrows that are between 1 and 3 feet deep, although they will also often use crevices in cliff faces, or in protected areas among rocky boulders.  Nesting colonies are almost exlusively found on offshore, rocky islands.

Interactive eBird Map: Click here to access an interactive eBird map of Horned Puffin sightings