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Visual recognition in Atlantic Puffins
Atlantic puffins have a highly characteristic colourful bill patterned by ridges and grooves. Mutual mate choice has traditionally been used to explain the existence of such traits but the life history of puffins arguably limits the potential for strong sexual selection (e.g., lifetime pair bonds, no extra-pair paternity). Why, then, are puffin bills colourful?! Our lab is and determining if variation in the puffin bills can facilitate individual recognition.

Social networks in Atlantic Puffins
Unlike most diurnal seabirds, Atlantic puffins nest in burrows so that their egg/chick is protected when they are not incubating/brooding. This gives them the freedom to move about the landscape much more than open nesters. Our lab studies the behavioural and spatial factors that influence social networks in these birds.

Mitigating the impact of light at night
Anthropogenic light at night has large impacts on our coastal seabirds. Many appear attracted or at least disoriented by them, causing regular strandings in many communities. Our lab tries to understand the factors that influence strandings in Leach's storm-petrels and Atlantic puffins, with the hope of reducing the hazards generated by this pollution.