The tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is perhaps Alaska’s most iconic seabird — immediately recognizable by its striking black-and-white plumage, brilliant orange-red bill, and the flowing golden tufts that sweep back from its white face during breeding season. At the Alaska SeaLife Center, guests can observe tufted puffins up close and learn about their remarkable lives — including the special Puffin Encounter experience.
Ocean Athletes
Tufted puffins spend the vast majority of their lives at sea, coming to land only to breed. Their wings are adapted for both flying and “flying” underwater — propelling them to depths of over 200 feet (60 m) in pursuit of fish. Their hinged bills can hold multiple fish at once — up to 20 small fish in a single bill — allowing efficient provisioning of chicks.
Nesting
Tufted puffins dig burrow nests into cliff-top soil or nest in rock crevices on offshore islands. Both parents share incubation duties and chick-rearing. The single chick (called a “puffling”) is fed by both parents until it fledges at night — alone — swimming out to sea without ever seeing its parents again.
Conservation Concerns
While globally listed as Least Concern, tufted puffin populations have shown alarming declines in parts of their range, including the eastern Bering Sea. Threats include:
- Ocean warming affecting prey availability (sand lance, capelin)
- Gill net entanglement
- Introduced predators on breeding islands
- Light attraction leading to disorientation and collision
At the Alaska SeaLife Center
Our tufted puffins are ambassadors for Alaska’s seabird populations and a highlight of the Puffin Encounter — a guided, hands-on experience available to visitors. The Center also supports seabird research tracking population trends and the impacts of ocean change on puffin food webs.