Tufted Puffins are medium-sized, stocky seabirds with rounded heads.
They are solid brown-black overall, except for distinctive facial
coloration. The outer wings are wider than the inner wings, giving
the outstretched wing a hand-like appearance. The feet and bill are
orange. In breeding plumage, a Tufted Puffin has a white mask across
its face, ending in a tuft of blonde feathers sweeping back from
above the ear. The orange beak is very bright and accented with yellow
at the base. Like other puffins, this species has a large, laterally
compressed bill. The Tufted Puffin can be distinguished from other
puffins by its dark belly.