Dead Atlantic Puffins Wash Up On Our Beaches

The Bermuda Audubon Society reported yesterday [Mar.  30] that at least four carcasses of Atlantic Puffins have washed up on the island’s beaches over the last two weeks.

Specimens have been found at Tobacco Bay, Cooper’s Island and near Ely’s Harbour.

“A live puffin has never been seen in Bermuda but there have been a number of late winter/early spring wrecks of presumed starving birds during prolonged periods of bad weather,” said an Audubon Society spokesman. “Northwest Europe is experiencing a similar die-off of puffins this winter.

Please report any further sightings of dead puffins to info@audubon.bm

The Atlantic Puffin is a seabird species that feeds primarily by diving for fish, but also eats other sea creatures, such as squid and crustaceans.

Its most obvious characteristic during the breeding season is its brightly coloured bill.

Also known as the Common Puffin, it is the only puffin species which is found in the Atlantic Ocean.

The curious appearance of the bird, with its large colourful bill and its striking piebald plumage, has given rise to nicknames such as ‘”clown of the ocean” and “sea rooster”.

The Atlantic Puffin is the provincial bird for the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Category: All, Environment