Collection: Atlantic Puffin

The Atlantic puffin ( Fratercula arctica ), often nicknamed the "sea parrot," is a colorful and charismatic seabird that can be seen on some isolated islands in eastern Quebec, such as the Magdalen Islands. Recognizable by its thick orange and black beak, black and white plumage, and clumsy gait on land, it is an excellent diver that feeds on small fish. In summer, it nests in burrows dug into grassy cliffs, raising a single chick per season. The Atlantic puffin is sensitive to disturbance, marine pollution, and changes in fish stocks. Its presence in Quebec is limited, but symbolic of the avian richness of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is a species highly valued by birdwatchers and photographers. Its conservation requires the protection of its breeding sites and the preservation of marine ecosystems.