# How Long Do Atlantic Puffins Live?

> Atlantic Puffin lifespan is typically 20+ years. What shortens or extends life, life stages, and status (Vulnerable).

- **Species:** Atlantic Puffin (*Fratercula arctica*)
- **Conservation status:** Vulnerable
- **Diet:** Carnivore (small fish)
- **Habitat:** Open ocean; coastal cliffs to breed
- **Lifespan:** 20+ years
- **Top speed:** Up to 88 km/h (55 mph) in flight
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/puffin/how-long-do-puffin-live/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/puffin/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) is a small, colourful seabird of the North Atlantic, nicknamed the 'sea parrot' for its bright, striped bill. It spends most of the year far out at sea, coming ashore only to breed in dense colonies on grassy coastal cliffs and islands. It flies fast, up to 88 km/h (55 mph), and 'flies' underwater to catch small fish. Puffins live 20 years or more and are listed as Vulnerable.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need a prognosis for one named animal. This page is a species lifespan range.

## The colourful 'sea parrot'

In the breeding season the Atlantic puffin is unmistakable, with a white face, black cap and back, orange feet, and a large triangular bill striped in red, orange, and blue-grey. This bright bill is a breeding-season feature: after nesting, the colourful outer plates are shed and the bill becomes smaller and duller through winter. Adults stand about 28 cm tall and weigh 300 to 500 g, making them far smaller than most people expect. Both sexes look alike.

## Help protect the Atlantic Puffin

The atlantic puffin is listed as Vulnerable, with habitat loss the leading threat to its future.

[Donate to protect habitat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/appeals/habitats/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/puffin/how-long-do-puffin-live/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.