The Puffin – The Embodiment of the Northern Character

A fighter and a survivor, the puffin breeds along the coast of Northern Norway in large numbers. With its characteristic features and demeanors it is a popular seabird. The feathers are black and white, the beak large and colorful, and the feet orange-red.

The Puffin can only be observed in the northern parts of the Atlantic. In the winter they spend their time at sea, “Norwegian” Puffins have been observed as far west as Greenland.  The Faroe Islands, western coast of Norway and the North Sea are favorite winter spots for the Puffin.

The breeding Puffin can among other places be observed at Gjesværstappan close to North Cape and at Røst, the Puffin capital of Norway. It breeds under rocks or in tunnels it can dig 2 meters deep on hill sides.

The Puffin is a typical colony breeder. A spectacular nature experience, the Puffins are in perpetual motion, moving in and out of its nest, and sometimes even in and out of the neighboring nest. It flies in circles “one way” in and out of its nest, in this way the Puffin avoids numerous collisions.

The Puffin will often do things together. According to folklore, the Puffin will land on its nesting place every year at 18.00 on April 14th, even in leap years. The chicks will do their first swim simultaneously as a safety measure against predators.

September 2011