Ancient Murrelet Identification

The Four Keys to ID

• Size & Shape

  A small, heavy-bodied seabird, scarcely larger than an American Robin, with a small bill and short neck. It has a short tail and short, narrow, pointed wings.

  Relative Size

  Slightly larger than a Cassin's Auklet, smaller than a Pigeon Guillemot.

  between robin and crow

  Measurements

  • Both Sexes
  • • Length: 7.9-9.4 in (20-24 cm)
    • Weight: 5.4-8.8 oz (153-250 g)
    • Wingspan: 17.7-18.1 in (45-46 cm)

  © Ryan Shaw / Macaulay Library

• Color Pattern

  Breeding adults are gray above, white below, with a striking black-and-white head pattern. The crown, face, and throat are black, with a white collar on the neck and fine white feathers above the eye. Flying birds show a blackish stripe along the flanks. The bill is pale. Nonbreeding plumages have less black in the head and throat, and usually lack the white head feathers.

• Behavior

  Dives and "flies" underwater using wings for propulsion. Feeds on fish and invertebrates. Pairs forage with young at sea, calling back and forth to remain in contact.
• Habitat

  Offshore waters, usually far from land (continental slope), during most of the year. Breeds in colonies on North Pacific islands, in burrows or rocky crevices. After the young mature, the species remains at sea, sometimes in large flocks.