Tufted Puffin vs Horned Puffin

In short

The Tufted Puffin and Horned Puffin are both striking seabirds of the North Pacific, but they can be distinguished by the Tufted Puffin's golden head-plumes and all-black body compared to the Horned Puffin's white face and black crown. Both species have large, colorful bills, but the Tufted Puffin's bill is more robust and orange, while the Horned Puffin's bill has a yellow base and red tip.

Identification tips

1. Look for golden head-plumes: Only the Tufted Puffin has these. 2. Check face coloration: Tufted Puffins have a white face, while Horned Puffins have a white face with a black crown. 3. Bill color and shape: The Tufted Puffin's bill is more robust and orange, whereas the Horned Puffin's bill has a yellow base and red tip. 4. Consider location: If seen far from land, it is more likely to be a Tufted Puffin.

Size

Both species are similar in size, but the Tufted Puffin appears slightly bulkier due to its more robust bill and body plumage.

Plumage

The Tufted Puffin features an all-black body with a distinctive white face and golden head-plumes. In contrast, the Horned Puffin has a white face with a black crown and a small fleshy 'horn' above each eye.

Behaviour

Both species are pelagic and spend much of their lives at sea, but the Tufted Puffin is considered more pelagic, often found further from land.

Habitat

Both puffins breed on rocky islands in the North Pacific, but the Tufted Puffin has a broader range, extending from California to the Arctic, while the Horned Puffin is more restricted to the northern parts of this range.