What nicknames do puffins have?

What nicknames do puffins have? ‘Get ready, because we’re setting sail to meet the puffin, a bird so colourful and comical it’s earned the nickname “Sea Parrot.” But is a puffin really a parrot, and what other nicknames does this feathered beauty have?

What is in a Puffin’s Nickname… 

All over the world, people have come up with delightful nicknames for these adorable birds. Here are a few that we like:

• Clown of the Sea: Just look at them! Their brightly coloured beaks, black and white plumage, and awkward waddle make them natural comics.
• Tammie Norrie (Shetland and Orkney Islands): This charming name might come from the puffin’s colourful beak, resembling a tam o’ shanter, a traditional Scottish bonnet.
• Macareux (France): This delightful French term for this little bird.
• Papagajkur (Iceland): This Icelandic nickname  meaning “beaked parrot,” yet another name attached to its famous colourful beak!

Beyond the Puffin’s Nicknames

There is more to the puffin than just their famously colourful beak though. These charismatic birds are fascinating creatures:

• Masters of the Deep: Puffins are incredible divers, reaching depths of up to 200 feet (60 meters) in search of fish! Their black and white coloured bodies helping them blend in with the ocean floor.
• Cliff Dwellers: Puffins spend most of their lives at sea, but come to land in the spring and summer to breed. They burrow into cliffs, creating cosy homes for their chicks. many treasured memories have been of seeing puffins on a coastal holiday!
• Colourful Personalities: Those brightly coloured beaks aren’t just for show! During breeding season, the beak becomes even more vibrant, a signal to potential mates of their health and breeding potential.
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Most puffins are found in Europe

Where Can You Spot a Puffin?

Puffins are found in the colder waters of the North Atlantic, with large colonies in Iceland, Norway, and the British Isles. If you’re planning a trip to see these delightful birds, remember:

• Timing is Key: Puffins are only on land during breeding season (spring and summer), so plan your trip accordingly.
• Respect Their Space: Puffins can be sensitive to disturbance, ensure you maintain a safe distance and do not get too close to their habitat.
• Embrace the Adventure: Seeing puffins in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. Wear warm clothes (that spring weather can be very changeable!), take binoculars, and prepare to be charmed by these “Sea Parrots”!
• The WWF have done some great conservation work to help puffins 
• 

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Puffins can dive down

  up to 60 metres!

It’s all in the Puffins Nickname:

From “Sea Parrot” to ”Clown of the Sea”, puffins have captured our hearts with their playful personalities and vibrant colours. When you hear any of the brilliant nicknames for a puffin, remember the meaning behind the name.