ETYM Akin to puff.
Any of two genera of northern seabirds having short necks and brightly colored compressed bills.
Any of various sea birds of the genus Fratercula of the auk family, found in the N Atlantic and Pacific. The puffin is about 35 cm/14 in long, with a white face and front, red legs, and a large deep bill, very brightly colored in summer. Having short wings and webbed feet, puffins are poor fliers but excellent swimmers. They nest in rock crevices, or make burrows, and lay a single egg.