Where does the Horned Puffin live?
Fratercula corniculata
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Open the appThe Horned Puffin lives in specific habitats and regions. Knowing where, and when, to look improves your chances of a successful sighting.
Biomes
Marine, Coastal cliffs, Islands, and open ocean.
Geographic range
North Pacific Ocean, ranging from the coast of Siberia and Sakhalin Island east through the Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, and south along the Pacific coast of North America to British Columbia. Breeding colonies are predominantly in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
Preferred environments
Rocky islands and sea cliffs for breeding, open ocean waters for foraging during non-breeding seasons.
Elevation range
Sea level to the tops of coastal cliffs where colonies are established.
Where to look
Breeding Colonies
Look for them on rocky islands and coastal cliffs throughout Alaska (e.g., Aleutian Islands, Pribilof Islands, Gulf of Alaska islands) and parts of Siberia during the summer months. Tour boats often visit these colonies.
Pelagic Waters
During the non-breeding season (fall and winter), they are found far out at sea in the North Pacific Ocean, often requiring pelagic birding trips to spot them.
Field tips
- Visit breeding colonies. The easiest way to see Horned Puffins is to visit their breeding colonies during the summer. They are often quite approachable on land.
- Look for fish in bill. When observing them near colonies, watch for adults returning to their burrows with multiple small fish held crosswise in their bills – a classic puffin behavior.
- Observe behavior on water. At sea, they might be seen floating on the water, resting, or actively foraging, characterized by their buoyant presence and sudden dives.
- Use a scope or binoculars. Especially on cliffs and at sea, good optics are essential for observing details like the 'horn' and bill patterns.
Migration
Migratory, moving south from their breeding grounds in Alaska and Siberia to spend the winter months in the open waters of the North Pacific. They can be found as far south as California and Baja California during winter.
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