8/2/2023 0 Comments Atlantic puffin size![]() The population in Iceland and Norway, which together account for 80% of the European population, decreased markedly since the early 2000s (BirdLife International 2015). In much of Iceland breeding has generally failed every year since 2003, but in the north, at least, it has been borderline sustainable (G. The Atlantic Puffin can be found throughout the North Atlantic Ocean, from north-west Greenland ( to Denmark) to the coastline of Newfoundland ( Canada) and Maine ( USA) in the west, and from north-west Russia down to the Canary Islands, Spain (in winter) in the east (del Hoyo et al. Populations are suspected to be declining rapidly through the combined impact of predation by invasive species, pollution, food shortages caused by the depletion of fisheries and adult mortality in fishing nets. The overall trend of the West Atlantic population is unknown (Berglund and Hentati-Sundberg 2014), and it is very tentatively suspected that overall declines may fall in the range 30-49% over three generations. Trend justification The population size in Europe is estimated and projected to decrease by 50-79% during 2000-2065 (three generations) (BirdLife International 2015). Europe holds >90% of the global population, so the projected declines in Europe are globally significant. The global population size is estimated at 12–14 million mature individuals (Harris and Wanless 2011 Berglund and Hentati-Sundberg 2014). Population justification The European population is estimated to be 4,770,000-5,780,000 pairs, which equates to 9,550,000-11,600,000 mature individuals (BirdLife International 2015). ![]() Should population trends become less uncertain both within and outside its European range it may merit uplisting or downlisting. Extrapolated over three generation lengths and allowing for uncertainty, the population is thought to be declining at a rate sufficient to be listed as Vulnerable. Population trends outside Europe are unknown. This winter plumage state is rarely seen by humans since the puffins return to the sea the entire winter until the next breeding season.Justification of Red List Category This species has experienced rapid declines across most of its European range. Their beaks become duller and less broad, their eye markings are shed, and their faces become darker. They can dive around 200 feet effectively using their webbed feet as a rudder.Īll of the Atlantic puffin’s characteristic colorful markings are shed in a partial molt at the end of the breeding season. An Atlantic puffin’s wings are small for their body weight so they can flap quickly in the air (up to 400 times per minute) and be used to propel themselves underwater. They spend most of their time preening themselves to keep their feathers oily and water-resistant. ![]() Some distinguished markings are the grey crease leading from their triangular eyes, their bright orange feet and their brightly colored thick beak which varies in size by age. Their primary colors are black on their back and white underneath. Males are slightly larger than females but have the same coloration. Atlantic puffins are short, thick bird standing only 8 inches tall and 12 inches in length, with a 19 – 25-inch wingspan. ![]()
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