The Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a seabird in the auk family. It is a pelagic species (meaning: it lives on the open ocean) that feeds primarily by diving for fish, but also eats other sea creatures, such as squid and crustaceans. Its most obvious characteristic is its large beak which becomes brightly colored during the breeding seasons. Also known as the Common Puffin, it is the only puffin species which is found in the Atlantic Ocean.
The average male will grow to 28–34 centimeters in length, with a 50–60 centimeter wingspan, the females being slightly smaller. The puffins are mainly black above and white below, with gray to white cheeks and red-orange legs. The bill is large and triangular, and during the breeding season is bright orange with a patch of blue bordered by yellow at the rear. The characteristic bright orange bill plates grow before the breeding season and are shed after breeding. The bills are used in courtship rituals, such as the pair tapping their bills together. During flight, it appears to have grey round underwings and a white body; it has a direct flight low over the water.
The population of these birds was greatly reduced in the 1800s when they were hunted for meat and eggs. More recently, populations have declined because of predation by large gulls and the inadvertent introduction of rats, cats, dogs and foxes onto some islands used for nesting. A reintroduction project titled Project Puffin on the coast of Maine has helped give the Atlantic Puffin a boost. Since the Atlantic Puffin spends its winters on the open ocean, it is susceptible to human impacts such as oil spills. If an accidental oil spill occurs and pelagic birds are exposed, toxins are inhaled or ingested which leads to kidney and liver damage. This damage can contribute to a loss of reproductive success and damage to developing embryos.
Source: Wikipedia