Tufted puffins are medium-sized members of the Alcid family (the northern counterparts of the penguins). Although the largest populations occur on the outer coast, tufted puffins do occur as summer residents along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and within the San Juan Islands.

Numbers of breeding pairs have fallen from over 1100 birds to about a dozen in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Colonies in Washington's inland waters are primarily restricted to Protection Island. Factors contributing to the decline of this species are unclear, but may include increased predation from bald eagles, crows, and gulls, disturbance by humans, and pollution. Tufted puffins are candidates for listing by Washington state and are considered vulnerable in British Columbia (blue list).