Ancient Murrelet
NameAncient Murrelet
Common NameAncient Murrelet
Scientific NameSynthliboramphus antiquus
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)43
Length (cm)25.5
Weight (g)215
Plumage DetailsBreeding adults have a black cap, throat, and upperparts, with a prominent white crescent-shaped stripe extending from behind the eye onto the neck. The underparts are white, and the bill is short and pinkish with a dark tip. Non-breeding plumage is similar but lacks the white head stripes and has a white throat.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of whistles, trills, and chirps, often given at sea or near breeding colonies. They can also produce a distinctive 'chirr-chirr' call.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the North Pacific Ocean, breeding on islands from Japan, Korea, and Russia across the Aleutian Islands to Alaska and British Columbia. Winters further south along the coasts of North America and Asia.
Identifying Featuressmall size, black cap, white crescent behind eye (breeding plumage), white underparts, black back, short pinkish bill
Description
The Ancient Murrelet is a small, stocky seabird with a distinctive black and white plumage. It is a highly pelagic species, spending most of its life at sea, only coming ashore to breed in burrows on islands.
