Why Puffins Carry Fish in Their Beaks

One of the most charming sights in seabird colonies is a puffin returning from the sea with a beak full of fish—tiny silver sand eels or capelin neatly stacked crosswise. It’s not just cute; it’s clever. Unlike many seabirds that swallow their catch and later regurgitate it for their chicks, puffins carry their fish visibly in their beaks, and there’s a good reason why.

Puffins have evolved a unique adaptation in their beak: a specialized hinge and rough tongue that allow them to hold multiple fish at once without losing the others while catching more. Puffins can carry over 10 small fish in a single trip, with supposedly the highest reported number being 68! This strategy is incredibly efficient—they can maximize the return on each dive, which is crucial during the short and busy breeding season.

By carrying fish rather than regurgitating, puffins reduce the time spent at sea and increase feeding rates for their chicks, known as pufflings.

So next time you see a puffin with a beakful of fish, know it’s not just for show—it’s a brilliant survival tactic in action.