Puffins are birds that live in the open ocean. They nest in colonies on rocky islands off the northern coasts of North American and Europe.

There are three species of puffins known as the Atlantic Puffin, the Tufted Puffin, and the Horned Puffin.

Puffins have a characteristic beak during mating season. It is brightly colored and is used in mating rituals where the male and female puffin tap their beaks together.

Puffins are not penguins. Penguins are found in the southern hemisphere while puffins are northern birds. Other differences include:

• Nesting - puffins make their nests in burrows or holes in the rocky cliffs of islands rather than directly on the ground or ice.
• Feeding - puffins feed their young whole fish, typically herring or eels, rather than regurgitated fish.
• Flying - puffins do. Enough said.