The horned puffin (Fratercula corniculata) is an auk found in the North Pacific Ocean, including the coasts of Alaska, Siberia and British Columbia.

[4] The Atlantic puffin acquired the name at a much later stage, possibly because of its similar nesting habits,[5] and it was formally applied to that species by Pennant in 1768.

[4] The Yup’ik of the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta call the puffin "qilangaq", "qengacuar(aq)" (“little nose”), or "qategarpak" (“large white breast”).

In summer (breeding) plumage, the bill's outer layer – the rhamphotheca – grows in size and turns bright yellow with a dark orange tip.

In North America, it is found on the western coasts of Alaska and British Columbia, Haida Gwaii and the Aleutian Islands.

Researchers, with help from several commercial Whale Watching companies in the region, are trying to figure out if this is a lone individual, or a potentially a mated pair.

To achieve flight, horned puffins either jump off a cliff to gain momentum, or races across the water to reaching the speed required for takeoff.

[14] They fly in groups of about two to fifteen individuals, traveling between nesting and foraging grounds, sometimes with tufted puffins or murres.

[19] The horned puffin walks upright, gripping rock surfaces with its claws, and climbs cliffs with ease.

[19] They fly in circular motions above the colony before landing, upon which they adopt a dominant or submissive posture towards other birds.

The sign of submission is to briefly hold their legs slightly apart and spread their wings over their head for about four seconds.

[22] Like most other seabirds, horned puffins have waterproof plumage, which permits it to dive and prevents rapid heat loss.

This secretes a greasy and hydrophobic liquid that the puffin spreads on its plumage with its beak, permitting it to float.

[23] Adult horned puffins are quite general in their diet, feeding on fish, small invertebrates, crustaceans, polychaete worms and squid.

Horned puffins will return from hunting with several small fish, squid or crustaceans in their specialized bills.

The horned puffin reaches sexual maturity between the age of five and seven years,[16] entering the breeding season between May and September.

The male displays by arising from the water, neck outstretched, opening and closing the bill while jerking the head.

The female makes a hunched posture with her neck contracted inwards, close to the water surface.

[19] Pairs choose a nesting ground a week after arriving at the breeding area, preferring rock crevices.

[18] The female's sperm storage glands in the oviduct help select spermatozoa during the race to the egg cell.

The fledgling leaves the nest alone and at night, making its way towards open water, then quickly dives and swims away to begin independent life.