Fratercula arctica -- (Linnaeus, 1758) ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- CHARADRIIFORMES -- ALCIDAE Common names: Atlantic Puffin; Puffin Assessment Information European Red List Status EN -- Endangered, (IUCN version 3.1) European Red List Assessment Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Tarzia, M., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Endangered (EN) EU27 regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) This species began undergoing rapid declines across the majority of its European breeding range during the 2000s. Extrapolated over a three generation length period (65 years), allowing for considerable uncertainty given the long trend period (and even assuming current rates of decline do not continue), the species warrants classification as Endangered (A4abcde) in Europe, and Near Threatened in the EU27 (where declines have apparently been less rapid, although uncertainty remains over the post-2000 trend in the key range state, the UK). Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Belgium; Denmark; Faroe Islands (to DK); Greenland (to DK); France; Germany; Iceland; Ireland, Rep. of; Italy; Netherlands; Norway; Svalbard and Jan Mayen (to NO); Portugal; Russian Federation; Spain; Sweden; United Kingdom; Gibraltar (to UK) Origin Uncertain: Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania Vagrant: Austria; Croatia; Finland; Hungary; Malta; Montenegro; Poland; Serbia Population The European population is estimated at 4,770,000-5,780,000 pairs, which equates to 9,550,000-11,600,000 mature individuals. The population in the EU27 is estimated at 601,000 pairs, which equates to 1,200,000 mature individuals. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Trend The population in Iceland and Norway, which together account for 80% of the European population, decreased markedly since the early 2000s and, although the population size was estimated to be increasing in the UK during 1969-2000, evidence suggests that it has undergone declines or probable declines since 2000 (Harris and Wanless 2011). As a result, the population size in Europe is estimated and projected to decrease by 50-79% during 2000-2065 (three generations). In the EU27 the population size is estimated and projected to decrease at a rate approaching 30% in the same period. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology The breeding range is restricted to colder parts of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, with its southernmost colonies in Brittany (France). Breeding colonies are located in Iceland, Norway, Faroe Islands, the U.K., Ireland and France on islands or high cliffs.
The species nests on grassy maritime slopes, sea cliffs and rocky slopes (Nettleship et al. 2014). During the winter the species is highly pelagic and is dispersed widely across the sea from the Azores to the western Mediterranean and Canary Islands. When feeding chicks, birds generally forage within 10 km of their colony, but may range as far as 50 to 100 km or more (Harris 1984, Rodway and Montevecchi 1996). Birds of this species are pursuit-divers that catch most of their prey within 30 m of the water surface (Piatt & Nettleship 1985). They prey on 'forage' species, including juvenile pelagic fishes, such as herring (Clupea harengus), juvenile and adult capelin (Mallotus villosus), and sand eel (Ammodytes spp.) (Barrett et al. 1987). At times, they also prey on juvenile demersal fishes, such as gadids (Harris and Hislop 1978, Martin 1989, Rodway and Montevecchi 1996). Sand eels usually form the majority of the prey fed to chicks (Corkhill 1973, Hislop and Harris 1985, Harris and Wanless 1986, Harris and Riddiford 1989, Martin 1989), and many chicks starve during periods of low sand eel abundance (Martin 1989). Habitats & Altitude Habitat (level 1 - level 2) Importance Occurrence Grassland - Subarctic major breeding Grassland - Temperate major breeding Marine Coastal/Supratidal - Sea Cliffs and Rocky Offshore Islands suitable breeding Marine Intertidal - Rocky Shoreline suitable breeding Marine Intertidal - Rocky Shoreline suitable non-breeding Marine Intertidal - Tidepools suitable breeding Marine Intertidal - Tidepools suitable non-breeding Marine Neritic - Macroalgal/Kelp major breeding Marine Neritic - Macroalgal/Kelp major non-breeding Marine Neritic - Pelagic major breeding Marine Neritic - Pelagic major non-breeding Marine Neritic - Seagrass (Submerged) major breeding Marine Neritic - Seagrass (Submerged) major non-breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Loose Rock/pebble/gravel major breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Loose Rock/pebble/gravel major non-breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Rock and Rocky Reefs major breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Rock and Rocky Reefs major non-breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Sandy major breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Sandy major non-breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Sandy-Mud major breeding Marine Neritic - Subtidal Sandy-Mud major non-breeding Marine Oceanic - Epipelagic (m) suitable breeding Marine Oceanic - Epipelagic (m) suitable non-breeding Marine Oceanic - Mesopelagic (m) suitable breeding Marine Oceanic - Mesopelagic (m) suitable non-breeding Altitude Occasional altitudinal limits Threats This species is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, such as sea temperature rise and shifts in prey distribution and abundance (Durant et al. 2003, Sandvik et al. 2005). This is a particularly important threat when prey species are exploited unsustainably, leading to prey reductions and subsequent unsuccessful breeding. The species is vulnerable to oil spills and other marine pollution. The species is also vulnerable to extreme weather events and storms, with large wrecks recorded following severe winter storms at sea. At the breeding colonies the species is vulnerable to invasive predators, such as rats, cats, and American Mink (Neovison vison). The species is susceptible to being caught in gillnets, although other fishing gears may also catch significant numbers. Increasing numbers of offshore wind farms may result in displacement from habitat, although the risk of collision is considered very low (Bradbury et al. 2014). The species is hunted for human consumption in Iceland, and in the Faroe Islands (Thorup et al. 2014).
Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Biological resource use Biological resource use Energy production & mining Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Invasive and other problematic species, genes & diseases Pollution Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources (unintentional effects: (large scale) [harvest]) Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals (intentional use - species is the target) Habitat shifting & alteration Ongoing Unknown Rapid Unknown Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Low Impact Ecosystem degradation; Indirect ecosystem effects Other impacts Ecosystem degradation; Indirect ecosystem effects Storms & flooding Ongoing Unknown Rapid Unknown Indirect ecosystem effects; Temperature extremes Indirect ecosystem effects; Species disturbance Renewable energy Ongoing Minority (<50%) Causing/Could Low Impact cause fluctuations Indirect ecosystem effects; ; Species disturbance American Mink (Neovison vison) Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact ; Reduced reproductive success Unspecified rats (Rattus spp.) Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact ; Reduced reproductive success Industrial & military effluents (type unknown/ unrecorded) Pollution Oil spills Past, Likely to Unknown Rapid Past Impact Return Ecosystem degradation; Conservation Conservation Actions Underway The species is listed under the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. The species is included in the Action plan for seabirds in Western-Nordic areas (2010). There are 76 marine Important Bird Areas identified across the European region. Within the EU there are 40 Special Protection Areas which list this species as occurring within its boundaries.
Conservation Actions Proposed Further identification of important sites for this species, particularly in offshore regions and designation as marine protected areas; Identify the risks of different activities on seabirds, and locations sensitive to seabirds. Continue eradication of invasive predators from breeding colonies. Management of fisheries to ensure long term sustainability of key stocks (e.g. sand eels). Establish observer schemes for bycatch and prepare National/ European Community plans of action on seabird bycatch. Continue AMAP monitoring of seabird contaminants; include new contaminants and secure communication between seabird and contaminants research. Increase the level of understanding among the public of introducing hunting restrictions. Develop codes-of-conduct for more organised activities (e.g. tourism). Ensure that appropriate protection (national laws and international agreements) applies to new areas and times in cases of changes in seabird migration routes and times. Bibliography Action plan for seabirds in Western-Nordic areas report from a workshop in Malmö, Sweden, 4-5 May 2010., (2010). Nordic Council of Ministers, Copenhagen. Barrett, R.T., Anker-Nilsson, T., Rikardsen, F., Valde, K., RÃ v, N. and Vader, W. 1987. The food, growth and fledging success of Norwegian puffin chicks Fratercula arcitica in 1980-1983. Ornis Scandinavica 18: 73-83. Bradbury, G., Trinder, M., Furness, B., Banks, A.N., Caldow, R.W.G., Hume, D., 2014. Mapping seabird sensitivity to offshore wind farms. PLoS ONE 9, e106366. Corkhill, P. 1973. Food and feeding ecology of puffins. Bird Study 20(3): 207-220. Durant, J.; Anker-Nilssen, T.; Stenseth, N. C. 2003. Trophic interactions under climate fluctuations: the Atlantic puffin as an example. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B 270: 1461-1466. Thorup, S.H., Jens-Kjeld Jensen, Kjeld T. Petersen, Dorete Bloch Kasper, 2014. Færøsk Trækfugleatlas. The Faroese Bird Migration Atlas. Faroe University Press, Tórshavn. Harris, M.P. 1984. A. & C. Black Publishers Ltd, London, UK. Harris, M.P. and Hislop, J.R.G. 1978. The food of young puffins. Journal of Zoology 185: 213-236. Harris, M.P. and Riddiford, N.J. 1989. The food of some young seabirds on Fair Isle in 1986-88. Scottish Birds 15: 119-125. Harris, M.P. and Wanless, S. 1986. The food of young razorbills on the Isle of May and a comparison with that of young guillemots and puffins. Ornis Scandinavica 17: 41-46. Hislop, J.R.G. and Harris, M.P. 1985. Recent changes in the food of young puffins (Fratercula arctica) on the Isle of May in relation to fish stocks. Ibis 127: 234-239. Martin, A.R. 1989. The diet of Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica and northern gannet Sula bassana chicks at a Shetland colony during a period of changing prey availability. Bird Study 36(3): 170-180. Nettleship, D.N., Kirwan, G.M., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (2014). Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.) (2014). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. Piatt, J.F., Nettleship, D.N. 1985. Diving depths of four alcids. The Auk 102: 293-297. Rodway, M.S., Montevecchi, W. A. 1996. Sampling methods for assessing the diets of Atlantic puffin chicks. Marine Ecology Progress Series 144(1-3): 41-55. Sandvik, H.; Erikstad, K. E;, Barrett, R. T.; Yoccoz, N. G. 2005. The effect of climate on adult survival in five species of North Atlantic seabirds. Journal of Animal Ecology 74: 817-831. Žydelis, R., Small, C., French, G., 2013. The incidental catch of seabirds in gillnet fisheries: A global review. Biological Conservation 162, 76 88. Map (see overleaf)