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How do puffins carry several fish in their bills at once?

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Illustration of a crab plover (Dromas ardeola), showing a slender wading bird with long legs, a long pointed black bill, white head and underparts, and contrasting black wings and back. — Charadriiform Crab plover (Dromas ardeola)

Puffins are able to carry several fish in their bills at once by holding the fish crosswise against the roof of the upper jaw using their spiny tongues. This specialized adaptation allows them to secure multiple prey items while continuing to hunt for more. They are capable of catching as many as 10 small fish in succession in this manner to transport them back to their nests.12