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    Tufted Puffin Identification

    Tufted Puffin Breeding
    Breeding

    Stocky black seabird. Breeding birds have a white face, long yellow plumes at the back of the head, and a large triangular red and orangish bill.

    © Andrew Spencer | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 30, 2013
    Tufted Puffin Breeding
    Breeding

    Large mostly black seabird with an unmistakable red bill. Breeding birds have yellow head plumes.

    © Matt Brady | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 25, 2010
    Tufted Puffin Breeding
    Breeding

    Mostly black seabird with large, triangular bill. Breeding birds have extravagant head plumes and face pattern, but this can be difficult to see at long range.

    © Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 21, 2002
    Tufted Puffin Nonbreeding
    Nonbreeding

    Nonbreeding birds are dark overall, with a gray face, reduced yellow plumes, and a smaller orange and gray bill.

    © Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 27, 2010
    Tufted Puffin Breeding
    Breeding

    In flight, entirely black below including underwings.

    © Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, August 30, 2004
    Tufted Puffin Nonbreeding
    Nonbreeding

    Nonbreeding birds have smaller bills, lacking the yellow plates visible during the breeding season. Appears entirely dark at a distance.

    © Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 27, 2010
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    Adult Description

    Stocky, large-headed, dark seabird. Breeding adult all black except for white face and long golden plumes curling over back of head and neck. Bill large and red-orange, with a bright-orange yellow plate over the base. Nonbreeding adult has dark gray face with no head plumes or bill plate.

    Immature Description

    Resembles nonbreeding adult, with dusky eyes instead of yellow.
    Relative Size

    Relative Sizecrow sizedcrow-sized
    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 14.2-15.8 in (36-40 cm)
      • Weight: 18.3-35.3 oz (520-1000 g)

    Species in This Family

    Auks, Murres, and Puffins(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Alcidae)

    DovekieDovekie
    Common MurreCommon Murre
    Thick-billed MurreThick-billed Murre
    RazorbillRazorbill
    Black GuillemotBlack Guillemot
    Pigeon GuillemotPigeon Guillemot
    Marbled MurreletMarbled Murrelet
    Ancient MurreletAncient Murrelet
    Cassin's AukletCassin's Auklet
    Parakeet AukletParakeet Auklet
    Rhinoceros AukletRhinoceros Auklet
    Atlantic PuffinAtlantic Puffin
    Horned PuffinHorned Puffin
    Tufted PuffinTufted Puffin

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