Tufted Puffin

This beautiful bird achieves its most remarkable coloration during the summer months when breeding adults begin to vie for each other’s attention. The feathers on their faces will turn bright white and they will grow very elegant-looking tufts of yellow feathers behind each eye. Their parrotlike bill becomes more vibrant-looking, adding a green bill casque and rosette. During the winter months, however, the puffin can have a dramatically different appearance. The bright colors will be replaced with dark and dusky feathers. The tufts for which the bird is named will disappear completely.