FIRST SPECIMEN OF THE HORNED PUFFIN (FRATERCULA CORNICULATA) IN MEXICO

Abstract

 A dead and partially decomposed Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata) found on the beach near Ensenada, Baja California, on 12 June 2023 represents the first specimen and first definite record of the species for Mexico, as well as the second southernmost. The specimen is preserved in the bird collection of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Ensenada. The late spring/early summer date agrees with the timing of many occurences of the Horned Puffin along and near the coast of Upper California since the 1970s.