Horned Puffin

ocean birds · North Pacific · diving experts · cute auks

Tiny feather horns. Horned puffins have special feather tufts above their eyes that look like little horns, which is how they got their funny name. When the breeding season ends, they shed these fancy feathers.

Champion deep divers. These puffins are incredible swimmers that dive down using their wings to paddle underwater, hunting for small fish like sand eels and anchovies. They can plunge quite deep to catch their dinner.

Alaska and Siberia homes. Horned puffins live along the coasts of Alaska, Siberia, and British Columbia in the cold North Pacific Ocean. They spend most of their time out on the water but come ashore to make nests.

Social nesters. These puffins love company and build their nests in big colonies alongside other auks and seabirds. Living in groups helps them stay safe from predators and find the best nesting spots.

Colorful growing beaks. Young puffins have plain gray beaks, but as they grow up their beaks become bright orange and yellow. The more colorful a puffin's beak, the healthier and more ready it is for breeding season.