Crested Auklet
NameCrested Auklet
Common NameCrested Auklet
Scientific NameAethia cristatella
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)65
Length (cm)26
Weight (g)285
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is entirely dark sooty-gray to black. It features a striking crest of black feathers that curls forward over the head, a thin white plume extending backward from behind each eye, and a vibrant orange bill with a yellow tip. The eyes are pale white or bluish-white.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a variety of growls, grunts, and whistles, often described as a barking or growling sound, particularly during the breeding season when they are highly social.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsmarine, rocky coasts
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in the North Pacific Ocean, breeding on islands and coasts from the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula, across the Bering Sea, to the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska.
Identifying FeaturesProminent forward-curving black crest, Bright orange bill with yellow tip, White plume extending from behind the eye, Dark sooty-gray body plumage, Pale white or bluish-white eyes
Description
The Crested Auklet is a distinctive seabird known for its prominent forward-curving crest and bright orange bill. These highly social birds breed in large colonies on rocky islands and spend the non-breeding season foraging in the open ocean.
