TODAY'S HOURS 10 AM - 4 PM GIVE TODAY MEMBERSHIP CONSERVATION Toggle the search Navigate to the homepage Visit Explore Support Buy Tickets ANIMALS Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) ANIMAL TYPE Birds EXHIBITS North Atlantic to the Pacific RANGE Europe North America Overview Atlantic puffins have a distinctive large, triangular red-orange bill with a blue-gray base and yellow ridge. Their head, neck, back and wings are black, while their cheeks are pale gray and white. Puffins have bright orange legs and webbed feet. Puffins live most of their lives at sea (except during breeding season) and are adept at both swimming and flying. They can dive for up to a minute but are usually underwater for 20 to 30 seconds at a time, reaching depths of up to 300 feet. Puffins use their wings to push through the water and can swim as fast as 10 miles per hour. They can also fly about 50 miles per hour, thanks to wicked-fast wings that can beat up to 400 times a minute. A NOTE FROM THE CARETAKER Atlantic puffins return to the same nesting ground year after year, often choosing the same mate. Quick Facts Learn more about Atlantic puffins! Did you know that puffins are sometimes called the parrots of the sea? Range Diet Size Population Status Predators Explore Exhibit Residents Learn more about the animals that share an exhibit with this one. View All Animals Anemones (Actiniaria) Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) Previous Next SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Sign up to receive updates on animals, news and events. Subscribe Today Navigate to the homepage The National Aquarium is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire conservation of the world's aquatic treasures. Education Field Trips Teacher Programs Student Programs Stories Series About Us Join Our Team Meet Our Team 2020 Impact Report Contact Us Plan an Event Newsroom Buy Tickets Give Today Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Guía del Visitante 游客指南 © 2021 National Aquarium Privacy and Security Policy 501 E Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202