Animal Guide

Tufted Puffin

14 destinations · 10 states

Native Range: North Pacific coasts and islands

Tufted puffins are easy to recognize once you spot the long yellow feathers sweeping back from the sides of the head. Those dramatic tufts appear during the breeding season, when the bird's thick orange bill also becomes especially colorful. At an aquarium or wildlife destination, watch how differently tufted puffins move on land and in water. They can look slightly awkward while walking across rocks, but underwater their wings work like flippers, allowing them to dive, turn, and chase small fish with surprising speed. Their bills are also useful for carrying food, and a puffin can return from a dive with several fish held crosswise. During the breeding season, they nest in burrows or rocky crevices along steep coastal cliffs and islands of the North Pacific. Their dark bodies, white faces, and bright bill create a striking combination when one comes close to the viewing area. A good look also reveals how the bold head tufts change the bird's profile, making this puffin especially distinctive among seabirds.

Tufted Puffin

Where to see Tufted Puffin

14 destinations across 10 states

14 destinations

Alaska SeaLife Center

Seward, AK

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach, CA

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, NY

Central Park Zoo

New York, NY

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

St Paul, MN

Georgia Aquarium

Atlanta, GA

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, CA

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

Oregon Coast Aquarium

Newport, OR

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Tacoma, WA

Saint Louis Zoo

St. Louis, MO

Seattle Aquarium

Seattle, WA

SeaWorld San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

SeaWorld San Diego

San Diego, CA

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