Puffins

Atlantic Puffin – Birds of Maine

Project Puffin Visitor Center, Rockland ME attractionPuffin in MaineAll About Puffins – Visit Maine and see a puffin in person. Puffins, the scientific name Fratercula arctica meaning “Little Brother of the North,” have also been given many nicknames over time due to their unique black plumage and brightly colored beaks and feet.

“Clown of the Ocean,” “Sea Parrot,” and “Little Friar” are a few names that have stuck. These little birds have proven themselves to be resilient survivors in the true spirit of Maine.

Contact us to share your Maine Puffin photos, and comments, or feature your Maine business.

Maine Puffin

The puffin averages about 10 inches tall and weighs in at about 16 ounces. There are four species of Puffins. The Atlantic Puffin, or Common Puffin, can be found at various points in the North Atlantic Ocean and along the Canadian and Maine coastlines. There are also the Horned Puffin, Tufted Puffin, and Rhinoceros Auklet which can be found off the California coast and the coast of Asia. Puffins can live over 20 years and usually don’t breed until they are around 5 years old. Puffins lay only 1 egg per year among rocks and burrows that they dig, and the male and female share parenting duties. Puffins are a close-knit community that congregates together for protection from predators.

Puffins communicate by using body movements and can make low growling sounds similar to a muffled chainsaw when protecting their young.
Puffins are sea birds who live most of their lives in the open sea. They return to land to breed and raise their young and have very particular nesting grounds. Over-hunting in the early colonization years and increased human activity near these nesting grounds had significantly diminished the Puffins’ numbers to threatened status in Maine.

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In 1973 Dr. Stephen Kress started a program with the National Audubon Society called Project Puffin to help the puffins re-establish a colony on Eastern Egg Rock off the mid-coast of Maine. Dr. Kress and his colleagues moved young puffins from a large nesting colony in Newfoundland to Eastern Egg Rock.

The hope was that the puffins would grow to think of this as their home, and would return to raise their own young there eventually. Dr. Kress’s team placed decoy birds on the island in 1977 to lure the curious birds back to the island. The puffins started returning that summer.

Today, there are 104 nesting pairs of puffins on the island from the 4 returning pairs from 1981. This very successful technique of the Puffin Project has since been used for bird re-population with more than 40 seabird species in 12 countries.

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Maine visitors can learn about the puffins at the Puffin Visitor Center in Rockland, Maine. Why not visit Maine and go on a  Puffin Watch Tour to see a migrating puffin colony for yourself?

PUFFIN GIFTS

PUFFIN FACTS

  • There are four kinds of puffins.
  • The Atlantic or common puffin is the only one found in Maine. To see a horned puffin or a tufted puffin, you would have to visit the Pacific coast. The rhinoceros auklet is also considered a type of puffin, although it does not look much like the others.
  • The Atlantic puffin’s scientific name is Fratercula arctica, which means “little brother of the north” in Latin. The name can also be interpreted as “little friar,” a reference to its black and white coloring.
  • Puffins may look like penguins, but they’re not related. Puffins live only in the northern hemisphere while penguins live only in the southern hemisphere (unless they are in zoos).
  • Puffins eat small fish such as herring, hake, smelt, and capelin, but they have also been known to eat crustaceans in the winter.
  • Puffins can drink saltwater.
  • Each year, a puffin will return to nest on the same island, and often even in the same burrow in the rocks.
  • Puffins can live to be 20 to 30 years old.
  • Puffins can both fly and swim very well and when they swim they use their wings to propel themselves through the water, steering with their feet.
  • Puffins mate for life.
  • Female puffins lay only one egg each year. A baby puffin is called a chick or a puffling.
  • After the summer breeding season, puffins become less colorful.
  • The great black-backed gull and the herring gull are the main natural predators of the puffin. Increasing numbers of gulls were preventing the puffins from returning to their nesting grounds, so scientists have helped protect the puffins by reducing nearby gull populations.
  • Adult puffins make a noise that sounds like groaning. Young puffins tend to make a peeping sound when they are hungry.

For $100, you can adopt your very own puffin for a nesting season! You’ll get a certificate of adoption and biography and a color photo of your puffin. Adoption fees help support the biologists who study and protect these fascinating birds. Puffin adoptions make great gifts for that friend or relative who has everything!

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PUFFIN GIFTS

Photo Title Price Buy
Wild Republic Puffin...image Wild Republic Puffin Plush, Stuffed Animal, Plush Toy, Sea Animals, Gifts for Kids, Sea Critters 8 inches $6.00 On Sale
G2TUP Puffin Bird...image G2TUP Puffin Bird Lover Gift Who Loves Puffins Birds Makeup Bag Puffin Cosmetic Bag Seabird Animal Lover Gift Birdwatching Birdwatcher Travel Bag with Zipper (Puffins White Bag) $7.33 On Sale
Puffins: Life on...image Puffins: Life on the Atlantic Edge $34.90 On Sale
Lazy One Animal...image Lazy One Animal Pajama Pants for Men, Men's Separate Bottoms, Lounge Pants, Bird (Stud Puffin PJ Pant, Large) On Sale
Cape Shore Painted...image Cape Shore Painted Ceramic Puffin Hanging Ornament $16.26 On Sale
Funny Puffin Bird...image Funny Puffin Bird Gifts All Or Puffin Unisex-Adults and Kids Black Cartoon Puffin T-Shirt Small $19.99 On Sale
Vintage Puffin Bird...image Vintage Puffin Bird Retro Sunset Puffin T-Shirt $19.99 On Sale
Puffin Bird Adjustable...image Puffin Bird Adjustable Baseball Cap Trucker Hats for Men and Women, Ash, One Size On Sale
PUFFIN ROCK Oona...image PUFFIN ROCK Oona & Baba Plush 2 Character Set | Oona Approximately 32cm | Baba Approximately 20 cm $29.99 On Sale
Aurora® Realistic Miyoni®...image Aurora® Realistic Miyoni® Puffin Stuffed Animal - Lifelike Detail - Cherished Companionship - Black 10.5 Inches $16.55 On Sale
AliceHitMood - Puffin...image AliceHitMood - Puffin Bird Mug, Bird Mug, I'm Puffin Awesome Mug, Birdwatching Mug, Birdwatcher Gift, Bird Watching Mug, Funny Bird Watcher Mug, 11oz Ceramic Coffee Mug/Cup On Sale
Puffin In The...image Puffin In The Pocket Seabird Iceland Pocket Puffin T-Shirt $19.99 On Sale
Puffin Lover Always...image Puffin Lover Always Be Yourself Unless You Can Be A Puffin T-Shirt $19.99 On Sale
Decorative Hand Painted...image Decorative Hand Painted Stained Glass Window Sun Catcher/Roundel in a Puffins Design. $44.00 On Sale
Lazy One Funny...image Lazy One Funny Animal Boxer Briefs for Men, Underwear for Men, Stud Muffin, Bird(Stud Puffin, X-Large) On Sale
3dRose LLC cst_81945_1...image 3dRose LLC cst_81945_1 Soft Coasters, "Atlantic Puffin, Latrabjerg Peninsula, Iceland-Ralph H Bendjebar", Set of 4 $21.53 On Sale
Puffin Bird Men...image Puffin Bird Men Women Boys Or Girls T-Shirt $19.99 On Sale
Funny Stud Muffin...image Funny Stud Muffin Vintage Retro Style Stud Puffin T-Shirt $19.99 On Sale
Two Cute puffins...image Two Cute puffins from Iceland Zip Hoodie $33.99 On Sale
Puffin Seabird Retro...image Puffin Seabird Retro Vintage T-Shirt $14.95 On Sale
  • Compatible Devices - This console travel case is only compatible with Switch. Please confirm the dimensions of the case before purchasing. 10.4 x 4.7 x 1.4 inches.
  • Material - This game console bag compatible with switch is made of EVA material, the outer shell is sturdy and shockproof, and the inner lining is soft and in contact with the game console. Please feel free to use it.
  • With Lanyard - This is a handbag compatible with Switch, and comes with a lanyard for free. You can hang it on your wrist or carry it in your hand when you go out. Multiple ways of use are more convenient.
  • Graphic Design - This travel game case is available in black and white with cute and creative graphics on the front. Choose from cute game storage carrying bags, fashion, animal prints and more.
  • Applicable Scenarios - This carrying and storage bag is compatible with switch. It is not only suitable for storing game consoles at home. It is also suitable for carrying game consoles out to play with friends. It is also suitable as a Christmas gift or birthday gift for game consoles.
  • Compatible Devices - This console travel case is only compatible with Switch. Please confirm the dimensions of the case before purchasing. 10.4 x 4.7 x 1.4 inches.
  • Material - This game console bag compatible with switch is made of EVA material, the outer shell is sturdy and shockproof, and the inner lining is soft and in contact with the game console. Please feel free to use it.
  • With Lanyard - This is a handbag compatible with Switch, and comes with a lanyard for free. You can hang it on your wrist or carry it in your hand when you go out. Multiple ways of use are more convenient.
  • Graphic Design - This travel game case is available in black and white with cute and creative graphics on the front. Choose from cute game storage carrying bags, fashion, animal prints and more.
  • Applicable Scenarios - This carrying and storage bag is compatible with switch. It is not only suitable for storing game consoles at home. It is also suitable for carrying game consoles out to play with friends. It is also suitable as a Christmas gift or birthday gift for game consoles.
  • Material: Pajama pants are made of 88% polyester and 12% spandex stretch material, soft, breathable and comfortable, with maximum freedom of movement
  • Suitable Size: Women pajama pants come in five sizes from XS-XL, plus a waist rope and wide-leg pants design to modify the body shape and show the perfect figure
  • Occasion: Wear in spring, summer, fall, or winter. It can be casual wear, home wear, pjs pants, sweat pants, yoga pants. It is the first choice for pajama parties, homes, Birthday, Holiday and more
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  • Easy care: Machine and hand washable. It will not deform or shrink excessively during washing, so you don't need to consider shrinkage when deciding on the fit
  • This educational puffin shirt is ideal for bird lovers, birders, and birdwatcher. It features cute and kawaii chibi-style artwork of different types of puffins, including tufted puffin, Atlantic puffin, Rhinoceros auklet, and horned puffin.
  • All men, women, and boys and girls who love birding and birdwatching might love this puffin shirt. Aside from that, animal lovers and ornithology experts, like ornithologists, will have an instant connection to this.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
  • Puffins Are Awesome. I'm Awesome. Therefore I'm A Puffin. This puffin graphic design shows a funny saying about puffin sea birds. Great puffin lover apparel for men, women, and children that love funny puffin bird sayings.
  • This puffin bird graphic design shows a funny puffin quote for boys, girls, men, and women that love puffin birds. Puffins are also called sea parrots or arctic diving bird and they are also known as clowns of the sea.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
  • Puffin Lover Gift:The cute puffin makeup bag printed with interesting words.This funny travel pouch will make a good gift and sure to giving them a surprise. For animal lovers, puffin lover, bird lover, this cosmetic bag is a gift that can bring surprise to them.
  • Puffin Gifts for Women: The makeup bag is a perfect gift for best friends, daughters, mothers, aunts ,sisters, mom ,aunt, niece who is a puffin lover. An unexpected present is a moment of pure joy for the recipient and the gift,and it needn't be anything expensive but impressing.
  • Funny Puffin Bird Gifts Makeup Bag: The cosmetic bag for women or girls in any age. Such as Birthday Gifts, Graduation Gifts, Christmas Gifts, Thanksgiving Gifts, Retirement Gifts, New Year Gifts, Valentines Day Gifts, Anniversary Gifts, Wedding Gifts, Baby Shower Gifts, Bridal Shower Gifts, Bachelor Party Gifts,Halloween Gifts, etc.
  • Friendship Gift for Best Friends: Our make up bag is mainly made of quality cotton canvas material, reliable and sturdy. It can serve you for a relatively long time, not easy to fade or deform, each bag is also designed with a zipper to ensure inside things safety.
  • Birthday Gift for Daughter: This cosmetic bag size is 25x17cm(10 inch x 6.7 inch), portable and exquisite design, which makes it fit for any occasions. It's a perfect travel bags makeup pouch, travel toiletry pouch, cosmetic bag, beach bag. THIS ITEM IS NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER.
  • Soft Material:Our pajamas is made of 100% flannel fleece with high fiber density, which will not lint-free, and fluffy. It is soft and skin-friendly, keep you warm in the cold winter.
  • Cute Hood: The pajamas has a cute hood with eyes, teeth and nose,like a real animal.
  • Fit for Many Occasions: This pajamas costume fits for loungewear, Party, Halloween and other occasions. Also, it is a amazing gift for Christmas, Easter, birthaday and so on.
  • Unique Design: This pajamas design with two large pockets on both sides, which are convenient for you carrying phones,keys and wallet. Besides, the zipper up closure make this piece easy to put on and take off.
  • SIZE CHART: Size 100 suggests Height 90cm-108cm,Age 2-3Years; 110 suggests Height 102cm-110cm,Age 4-5Years; 120 suggests Height 114cm-122cm,Age 6-7Years; 130 suggests Height 126cm-134cm,Age 8-9Years; 140 suggests Height 138cm-146cm,Age 10-83Years.
  • Lightweight, Classic fit, Double-needle sleeve and bottom hem
  • COMFY SOCKS: Made from 75% cotton, 15% nylon, and 10% spandex blend, these cute novelty socks will keep your feet cool and comfortable all day and night.
  • FUNKY GRAPHIC SOCKS: These socks come in lots of cute and fun designs. These socks will showcase your love of animals and the outdoors. Wear these silly, colorful socks to show off your crazy side!
  • DURABLE DESIGN: Featuring 2-ply yarn for comfort and durability, these printed crew socks are fuzzy and long lasting. You can keep your feet warm and cozy for years to come.
  • PRESHRUNK PACKS: Lazy One’s funny socks are preshrunk so you can throw them in the washing machine without damaging or ruining them. Goofy lounging apparel should be easy to take care of!
  • GIFT SOCKS: Whether you're using it as a stocking stuffer, a gift for your mom or dad, or a present for your groomsmen, these fun socks will show your appreciation and love.
  • The arctic puffin costume is for Atlantic Seabird lovers who love to be in Iceland to see the little arctic puffins. The Puffin Birds are funny animals and everybody loves them.
  • Iceland Puffin
  • 8.5 oz, Classic fit, Twill-taped neck

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