Are puffins a type of penguin?

Puffins are not a type of penguin, and have no relation to penguins whatsoever. Puffins are seabirds that are part of the Alcidae family, and are found on and near the Atlantic Ocean near Europe, the United States and Canada. Penguins are of the family Spheniscidae.

Most penguins are found in the Antarctic region, and are able to withstand bitterly cold temperatures. Puffins are also found in colder climates, near Iceland for instance, but their habitats are not nearly as cold. Puffins are also expert fliers, and live mainly on the open ocean. They are often compared to penguins because of their black and white coloring.