Carol DM
Continuing with 25 facts about Puffins, part three of five.
Below are some facts I learned and wanted to share.
In case you missed part one and two, you can read them here:
25 Facts About PUFFINS ~ Part 1 of 5
25 Facts About PUFFINS ~ Part 2 of 5
These Puffins always make me smile. I hope they do the same for you. We can never have too many smiles.
*Photos Courtesy of National Geographic
-
Question of
HOW OLD DO PUFFINS HAVE TO BE BEFORE THEY CAN REPRODUCE?
-
1. Most puffins do not breed until they are 5 years old.
-
2. The earliest a puffin may breed is at age 3 but this is only known from zoos.
-
3. Puffins live a long time and use their pre-breeding years to learn about feeding places, choosing a mate and nest sites. They do bond as pairs.
-
-
Question of
HOW DO PUFFINS DIG THEIR BURROWS AND HOW DEEP ARE THEY?
-
1. Puffins dig their burrows using their bills and feet.
-
2. They prefer to make their burrows in earth or between rocks on steep sea cliffs so predators cannot easily reach them.
-
3. They use their bills to cut into soil and then shovel away loose material with their feet.
-
-
Question of
HOW MANY EGGS DOES A PUFFIN LAY?
-
1. Puffins typically lay 1 egg per year.
-
2. They usually keep the same mate every season and use the same burrow as in previous years.
-
-
Question of
HOW LONG CAN PUFFINS LIVE?
-
1. Puffins often live 20 years or more.
-
2. The oldest known puffin lived to be 36 years.
-
3. Puffins mate for life.
-
-
Question of
WHY DO PUFFINS HAVE COLORFUL BEAKS?
-
1. During winter, the bills and feet of puffins fade to dull shades of their summer colors.
-
2. Every spring their beaks and feet turn a colorful orange in preparation for the breeding season.
-
3. The beaks and feet of puffins become brightly colored and the beak increases in size as the bird matures.
-
I just fell in love with these birds. Thank you for choosing to introduce us to them.
It was love at first sight for me years ago when I saw them on a documentary, then a zoo. Adorable!
another great post! i am a puffin fan now!
Thanks, I have always been a fan and am learning more about these little birds.
they are amazing – great series, lots of good information. i wish quizzes worked!
Rasma (Sandra) is having luck with her quizzes.
she is i just took her awesome color quiz!
They sound like very wise birds, I like the fact that they take their time to find the right mate and stay with them for life.
They are and I am still learning more about them. It always impresses me when I read about birds that mate for life. I know doves do this as well.
Very interesting facts about puffins. I am enjoying learning about them.
Thanks! I enjoy learning and sharing as well.
Some more interesting facts. They are all new to me.
Same here, I am loving this series, these puffins are adorable. Thanks for the comment.
I am learning that I used to know nothing at all, but you are making me smarter.
Glad you are enjoying. I love these puffins. 🙂
I had no idea they lay only one egg per year. Very interesting facts once again. Such cute birds!
Neither did I. Glad you are enjoying. All of these answers, again, are correct.