Much of traditional tattooing is rooted in sea-themed imagery which could be why many puffin (a seabird) tattoos can be found in the traditional style. Neo traditional is another excellent choice for an animal tattoo but, as you’ll see here, a puffin can work with any tattoo style. It’s all about the ensuring the markings are there, and the physical form legible, to ensure the puffin keeps its identifying features.
Keep scrolling for tattoo inspiration and to learn some fun facts about puffins.
A baby puffin is referred to as a puffling – possibly the cutest name in the animal kingdom.
A puffin’s beak is only colourful during the breeding season, after which it sheds to reveal a shorter, duller beak.
There are three species of puffin: the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica); the Horned puffin (Fratercula corniculata); and the Tufted puffin or Crested puffin (Fratercula cirrhata).
Much like penguins, puffins form life-long relationships with their partner.
If you wish to see puffins in the wild you should book a trip to Iceland – the country is home to over 10 million Atlantic puffins. You may, however, want to ignore the fact that the seabird forms part of the national diet.
The puffins current IUCN Red List status is listed as vulnerable due to the declining trend in their population.
Puffins can beat their wings up to 400 times per minute, and even use their flying technique to swim in the ocean.
Puffins will dig out a burrow (or make use of one abandoned by rabbits) before constructing a nest out of feathers and grass for their egg to lay on.
Their unique beak enables puffins to spend more time searching for food as they can hold up to 12 small fish. This means that their puffling can enjoy a lovely non-regurgitated meal.
The purple in many of these tattoos may be inspired by puffin eggs which sometimes have a lilac tinge.
The Tattooed Archivist 