A puffin’s age is a curious matter. The oldest puffin ever recorded in New Brunswick and Canada was recently discovered at 33 years old. Researchers from the Atlantic Laboratory for Avian Research at the University of New Brunswick found this remarkable puffin, which was born in 1992 on Machias Seal Island in the Gulf of Maine. This finding is significant, as it is believed to be the oldest puffin ever recaptured in the province and one of the oldest in North America.
Daniel Oliker, a graduate student studying Atlantic puffin ecology at the University of New Brunswick, expressed confidence in this discovery, highlighting its importance. The previous record for the oldest puffin was 29 years old, making this new find a notable achievement, surpassing the previous record by four years.
Since 1995, the research team has been diligently monitoring puffins and other seabird species, such as razorbills, common murres, and Leach’s storm petrels, on Machias Seal Island. The island has a history of bird banding, with early use of plastic and metal bands for identification. Today, researchers utilize two metal bands for marking.
The team’s perseverance paid off when they spotted a puffin with a plastic band, indicating its age. Following a search at night, they successfully located the 33-year-old puffin in its burrow. The worn-out plastic band, with still legible numbers, revealed that the puffin was last seen in 2007.
Tony Diamond, the biologist who initiated the research program on Machias Seal Island three decades ago, commended the team’s dedication in uncovering this significant find. This discovery not only sheds light on the longevity of puffins but also underscores the enduring nature of the research efforts on the island.
The aged puffin has now been equipped with a new metal band for continued monitoring. This information is crucial for understanding puffin lifespan, reproductive success, and resilience to environmental changes. Despite facing challenges in its lifetime, this resilient bird continues to thrive and raise offspring, showcasing the remarkable adaptability of puffins.
