Atlantic puffins, often referred to as “clowns of the sea,” are always popular with bird enthusiasts and photographers alike. Their bright colors help to create interesting photographs; I shot this majestic specimen on the Isle of Staffa in Scotland.
Though Atlantic puffins are not endangered, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as vulnerable. They're experiencing habitat loss in their breeding colonies due to climate change and invasive plant and predation animal species such as rats. Oil spills and overfishing also threaten the livelihood of these seabirds.
Two great organizations are working to reestablish Atlantic puffin populations and their habitat. One is SOS Puffin at the Scottish Seabird Centre in Scotland, and the other is the National Audubon Society’s Project Puffin. Visit their websites to learn more about these charismatic little creatures.