Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arctica
With its bright beak, teardrop eyes, and comical waddle, the Atlantic Puffin is often called the “clown of the sea”—but behind its charm lies a deeper story. Nesting in burrows on sea cliffs, it spends most of its life at sea, diving deep for fish. But warming oceans and overfishing have triggered sharp population declines. Conservationists now monitor colonies, restore nesting grounds, and fight to protect the food chains puffins rely on to survive
Vulnerable
Population: 12 - 14 million
Years Until Extinction: Recovering
Habitat
Coastal islands with grassy slopes and cliffs
Main Threat
Warming oceans and prey depletion
Description
A stocky seabird with a black back, white belly, and a vivid orange-and-red beak. In flight, it flaps frantically; underwater, it swims with powerful wing strokes, like a flying penguin in reverse.
Wingspan: 20 - 24 inches
Diet: Small fish, crustaceans
Nesting: Burrow nests dug into grassy cliffsides
Mating: Bill tapping and synchronized preening
The Atlantic Puffin is a compact seabird with black and white plumage and a vibrant orange beak, known for its upright posture and endearing waddle across rocky cliffs by the ocean. The Atlantic Puffin’s dance captures its quirky charm through upright stances, short sidesteps, and playful nodding movements that reflect land-bound determination.
Puffins carry up to 10 fish at once in their beaks thanks to a clever spiny tongue that holds prey while they keep fishing.
Learn the Dance
Choreography Suggestions:
Waddle walk: short outward-foot steps with compact torso.
Wing whirr: quick elbowed flutters close to the body.
Beak tap: precise forward nod with fingertip “beak” pecks.
Cheerful and jaunty; bouncy rhythms with tidy stops.
Not a dancer? Co-create with AI!
Costume Ideas: Black/white outfit with simple orange belt/ankle bands; small triangular “beak” accent on headband.
Prompt Ideas: Dancer imitates an Atlantic puffin: playful waddle, close-in wing flutters, neat beak-tap nods; black/white costume with orange accents; seaside cliff vibe with soft overcast light..
