Atlantic Puffins occur across the North Atlantic from Canada to Norway and south to Spain. Like many seabirds, the Atlantic Puffin is long-lived, averaging 30 plus years. And like other birds with long lifespans, the young take several years to mature. Puffins do not breed until they are 3–6 years old. The oldest recorded Atlantic Puffin was banded as a chick in Norway and lived to be 41 years old. Atlantic Puffins eat small fish around 2 to 6 inches long, mainly sandlance (sandeel), sprat, capelin, herring, hake, and cod. During the breeding season, they forage in shallow waters close to the breeding colony, generally not straying more than about 10 miles from shore. Atlantic Puffins often capture several fish during one dive, holding them crosswise in their bill. Backward-pointed spines on the roof of their mouth and tongue help keep the fish in place. Puffins nest in colonies on rocky islands, and lay their eggs in burrows. Feather | Nature | Animal Wildlife | Composition | Horizontal
High Resolution JPEG Picture of Atlantic Puffins occur across the North Atlantic from Canada to Norway and south to Spain. Like many seabirds, the Atlantic Puffin is long-lived, averaging 30 plus years. And like other birds with long lifespans, the young take several years to mature. Puffins do not breed until they are 3–6 years old. The oldest recorded Atlantic Puffin was banded as a chick in Norway and lived to be 41 years old. Atlantic Puffins eat small fish around 2 to 6 inches long, mainly sandlance (sandeel), sprat, capelin, herring, hake, and cod. During the breeding season, they forage in shallow waters close to the breeding colony, generally not straying more than about 10 miles from shore. Atlantic Puffins often capture several fish during one dive, holding them crosswise in their bill. Backward-pointed spines on the roof of their mouth and tongue help keep the fish in place. Puffins nest in colonies on rocky islands, and lay their eggs in burrows. [1448905185] stock photo
