If you’ve ever seen a puffin, with its striking black-and-white plumes and brilliant orange beak, you might have questioned: Are puffins penguins? The brief response is no, however the reasons that are as interesting as these birds themselves.
Puffins are distinct animals with their own interesting attributes. Here, we’ll explore what puffins are, where they live, how they hunt and fly, and why they are significantly susceptible to ecological dangers– all while cleaning up the puffin-penguin confusion for excellent.
What Is a Puffin?
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Puffins are little seabirds coming from the Alcidae household. There are 4 types of puffins: the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), the Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), the Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata), and the Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). These birds are frequently acknowledged by their vibrant beaks, which end up being specifically dynamic throughout the reproducing season. In spite of their little size, puffins are outstanding fliers and swimmers, adjusted to life on both land and sea.
Depending upon the types, puffins vary from about 10 to 16 inches high, making them considerably smaller sized than many penguins. They normally just weigh a couple of pounds. Their plumage is mainly black and white, comparable to penguins, however their intense beaks and orange feet set them apart. Puffins are understood for their distinct, nearly clown-like look, making them labels like “sea parrots” and “clowns of the sea.”
Learn more: Why People In Iceland Are Safely Throwing Baby Puffins Off Cliffs
Are Puffins Penguins?
The confusion in between puffins and penguins is reasonable. Both birds are black and white, have a comparable body shape, and are frequently seen near water. They are not carefully associated.
Puffins come from the household Alcidae, while penguins come from the household Spheniscidae. Among the most substantial distinctions in between the 2 is their geographical place. Puffins are discovered in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the North Atlantic Ocean, while penguins are mainly discovered in the Southern Hemisphere, with lots of types residing in Antarctica.
Another vital difference in between the 2 is that puffins can fly. Unlike penguins, which are flightless, puffins are exceptional fliers, efficient in reaching speeds of approximately 55 miles per hour by flapping their wings approximately 400 times per minute. Puffins likewise utilize their strong wings to effectively swim through water, utilizing a method comparable to penguins.
Find out more: 20 Things You Didn’t Know About … Penguins
Where Do Puffins Live?
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Puffins mainly live in seaside locations and islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. The biggest populations of puffins remain in Iceland, which is home to majority of the world’s Atlantic puffins. Other puffin populations are discovered in Norway, Greenland, and parts of the United Kingdom, consisting of Scotland and the Faroe Islands.
Puffins choose rocky cliffs and islands where they can nest in burrows or crevices. Puffins live and raise their chicks on land,