How to identify

Puffins are unmistakable birds with their black back and white underparts, distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and their tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill. Its comical appearance is heightened by its red and black eye-markings and bright orange legs. Used as a symbol for books and other items, this clown among seabirds is one of the world's favourite birds. With half of the UK population at only a few sites, it's a Red List species.

Call

Puffin

Hans Petter Kristoffersen / xeno-canto

A view of puffins taking flight from a green and earthy ground, on Coquet Island.
Coquet Island Puffins
Follow a Puffin

Discover the sights, sounds and smells of a bustling seabird colony. Follow a Puffin as she returns from sea. With seabirds facing multiple pressures, we look at how you can help.

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Where best to see them

Key facts