Horned puffin Fratercula corniculata

Identification Tips:

• Sexes similar
• Immature similar to adult basic but bill is smaller and darker
• Medium to large alcid that dives for food from water surface
• Very large bill
• Black crown, nape, throat, and upperparts
• White breast, belly and undertail coverts
• Red legs and feet
• Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
• Inhabits open ocean habitats and coasts from Alaska south (rarely) to California

Adult alternate

• Extremely colorful bill-yellow at base and red at tip
• White, triangular face patch
• Hornlike projection from top of eye
• Thin, dark line from eye to nape

Adult basic

• Duller bill lacks yelow plate at base
• Gray, triangular face patch

Similar species:

The Horned Puffin is most similar to the Tufted Puffin. In alternate plumage, the Horned Puffin lacks yellow tufts on the face and has white, not black, underparts. In winter, the gray face and white underparts of the Horned Puffin can separate them. Atlantic Puffin does not overlap in range and has a different bill pattern.