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Puffins mate on the water. The process of finding a mate include bowing, a male courtship display of its plumage with its head low to the ground. Head flicking, generally by sea in a raft, another display to attract the female with their colorful bills. And if successful:

Copulation. At sea, rarely (and usually unsuccessful) on land; male Wing-Flutters, female swims low in water with neck retracted; if receptive, female holds head higher, with rear of body low; pair swim slowly around each other, may Bill together before male mounts for 5–6 s (flapping wings for balance); female keeps head high though body submerged.

[source: BNA.CORNELL.ATLANTICPUFFIN]