The Provincial Bird of Newfoundland and Labrador is the Atlantic Puffin. The Witless Bay Ecological Reserve is home to the largest colony in North America with 1/2 a million puffins returning to the islands each spring and summer to nest. Every spring and summer the four islands that make up the reserve become a nesting ground for approximately 4 million seabirds. Several different species inhabit the islands including: the second largest colony of Leach’s Storm-Petrel in the world (620,000 pairs), Common Murre, Razorbill Auk, Black-Legged Kittiwake, Great Black-backed Gull, Black Guillemot, Nothern Fulmar, Thick-billed Murre and Herring Gull.
Puffin Facts
- The Atlantic Puffin are often thought to be relatives of the Penguin, however they are a seabird in the Auk family.
- Atlantic Puffins spend most of their lives at sea, only returning to land each spring and summer to breed.
- Their bright coloured beaks appear during mating season and fade to grey during the winter months.
Visit The Puffins
Whether it’s your first time to Newfoundland and Labrador or you have lived here your entire life, tour with us and experience all that Newfoundland has to offer.
For the best viewing opportunity, join us on our 2-hour Award Winning Boat Tour as we sail to the Witless Bay Ecoloigical Reserve.
