Tufted Puffin Identification

Overview
ID info
Life History
Maps
Sounds

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.

Breeding

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

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.

Nonbreeding

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

Breeding

In flight, entirely black below including underwings.

Nonbreeding

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

See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

Compare with Similar Species

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Rhinoceros AukletBreeding adult

Rhinoceros AukletNonbreeding

Horned PuffinBreeding adult

Horned PuffinNonbreeding adult

Atlantic Puffin

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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.