Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata) is in the Auks, Murres, and Puffins family (Alcidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,936 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in July.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Tufted Puffin: observations by month (U.S.)
About Tufted Puffin
The tufted puffin (Fratercula cirrhata), also known as crested puffin, is a relatively abundant medium-sized pelagic seabird in the auk family (Alcidae) found throughout the North Pacific Ocean. It is one of three species of puffin that make up the genus Fratercula and is easily recognizable by its thick red bill and yellow tufts.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Tufted Puffin by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 1,350 | August | Jun–Aug |
| Oregon | 657 | July | May–Aug |
| Washington | 480 | July | Jun–Aug |
| California | 436 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Maine | 13 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Auks, Murres, and Puffins)
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Tufted Puffin?
Nationally, July has the most observations, with the main season from May to August.
Where is Tufted Puffin most often seen?
The most observations come from Alaska, Oregon, Washington.