Puffins are distinctive seabirds recognized by their brightly colored beaks, expressive eyes, and charming waddle, making them a popular sight along northern coastlines. These fascinating birds spend the majority of their lives at sea, returning to land only during the breeding season. They prefer to nest in large colonies on remote islands and steep cliffs, where they dig burrows for their eggs and young. Despite their remarkable adaptations to harsh marine environments, puffins are relatively small and face numerous threats from various predators throughout their lives.
Airborne Hunters
While on land or in the air near their nesting sites, puffins face threats from aerial predators. Large gulls, such as the Great Black-backed Gull and the Glaucous Gull, are adept hunters. These opportunistic birds often patrol puffin colonies, ambushing adult puffins as they fly back to their burrows with fish in their beaks. Their size allows them to overpower puffins in mid-air or snatch them from the ground.
Skuas, including the Great Skua and Arctic Skua, are formidable aerial predators. Skuas are known for their aggressive pursuit and kleptoparasitic behavior, often forcing other seabirds to drop their catch, but they also directly prey on puffins. They will target puffins returning from fishing trips, chasing or directly attacking them. These aerial assaults are particularly effective against adult puffins, who may be weighed down by their catch or less agile when approaching their burrows. The constant presence of these aerial hunters can also influence puffin behavior, causing them to alter their flight patterns or delay their return to the colony, further stressing the birds.
Land-Based Threats
Beyond the dangers from above, puffin colonies on land face threats from mammalian predators. Foxes, such as the Arctic Fox and Red Fox, are threats, particularly to colonies on mainland coasts or islands connected by land bridges. These predators primarily target puffin eggs and chicks within their underground burrows, often digging to access the nests. They also prey on adult puffins, particularly if the birds are nesting on accessible ground.
Mink, an introduced species in many puffin habitats, pose a serious threat to nesting colonies. Their slender bodies allow them to navigate tight spaces, giving them access to puffin burrows where they prey on eggs and young chicks. Like foxes, mink are opportunistic hunters and will attack adult puffins, particularly at night when puffins are less active.
Rats represent another introduced menace to puffin populations, especially on islands. While smaller than foxes or mink, rats can still have a significant impact on a colony by preying on eggs and newly hatched chicks. Their presence can significantly reduce breeding success, particularly in areas where puffins nest in shallower burrows or are less accustomed to ground predators.
Ocean Dangers
Once puffins leave their nesting sites and venture into the ocean, they encounter dangers from marine predators. Large predatory fish, such as certain types of cod, can prey on puffins while they are foraging underwater. Younger or less experienced puffins, which may be less agile or slower to react, are particularly susceptible to these underwater attacks as they dive for small fish and invertebrates.
Marine mammals also pose a threat to puffins in the ocean. Seals, particularly larger species like Grey Seals, are opportunistic predators of seabirds. Despite puffins’ speed, a seal’s superior speed and maneuverability can allow it to capture a puffin, especially if the bird is caught unawares or is weakened. These encounters typically occur when puffins are diving deep for food or resting on the surface.
Orcas, though less common predators of puffins, are apex predators that opportunistically prey on marine life, including seabirds. While not a primary food source, individual puffins caught on the surface or during dives could become targets. Their size and hunting prowess make them a formidable, albeit infrequent, danger to puffins in open waters.