An Atlantic puffin with a broad orange-and-grey bill, white cheeks and orange feet sits among rocks beneath a low overhang.
Documentary organism photograph

An Atlantic puffin with a broad orange-and-grey bill, white cheeks and orange feet sits among rocks beneath a low overhang.

USFWS · Public domain — explicit individual USFWS media designation · Image source

Atlantic puffin photographed in a burrow. USFWS gives the creation date as 24 September 2021; no location is supplied.

Overview

The British Trust for Ornithology describes puffins nesting in burrows set in short grass above sea cliffs. Birds may dig their own burrows or occupy burrows made by rabbits or shearwaters. A single egg is listed for the clutch.

Outside the breeding season, puffins live at sea. Ringing recoveries point to a broad range across the eastern Atlantic as far as northwest Africa, with some records from the Mediterranean. BTO lists the species as Red on the UK list, Endangered in Europe and Vulnerable globally. Each assessment applies only at its own scale.

Natural Resources Wales identifies Skomer as an island off the west coast of Wales, owned by NRW and managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. According to NRW, Skomer holds the largest breeding puffin colony in southern Britain. Puffins are also among the birds seen around the Skomer Marine Conservation Zone. The Welsh name is Pâl.

Nests in grassland burrows above cliffsSingle-egg clutchWinters at sea
01

Origins & earliest records

Linnaeus, 1758 is the naming authority. BTO's medieval British record dates documentation, not biological arrival.

02

Evidence & interpretation

BTO BirdFacts supports the biology, classification and status. Natural Resources Wales pages support the Skomer account.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Puffin — BirdFacts

    British Trust for Ornithology · n.d.

    Selected bibliography; breeding biology, range, classification and status.

  2. 02

    Island’s spring is helped by winter work

    Natural Resources Wales · n.d.

    Selected bibliography; Skomer management and colony status.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Order, family and authority follow BTO BirdFacts.

  1. orderCharadriiformes
  2. familyAlcidae
  3. speciesFratercula arctica

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Ornithological species accountPuffin — BirdFactsResearch access: 2026-10-06
  2. Government news articleIsland’s spring is helped by winter workResearch access: 2026-10-06
  3. Government reserve pageSkomer Marine Conservation Zone, near Milford HavenResearch access: 2026-10-06

Image credits

Documentary organism photograph

An Atlantic puffin with a broad orange-and-grey bill, white cheeks and orange feet sits among rocks beneath a low overhang.

USFWS · Public domain — explicit individual USFWS media designation · Image source

Atlantic puffin photographed in a burrow. USFWS gives the creation date as 24 September 2021; no location is supplied.

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