Crested Auklet
Image: Art Sowls, USFWS (Public domain)
NameCrested Auklet
Common NameCrested Auklet
Scientific NameAethia cristatella
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)67.5
Length (cm)26
Weight (g)285
Plumage DetailsAdults have uniform sooty gray-black plumage over their entire body. A prominent, forward-curving crest of black feathers adorns the forehead, and a thin white plume extends backward from behind each eye. The bill is bright orange, and the iris is white.
Vocalization / CallCrested Auklets are highly vocal, especially in their dense breeding colonies. Their calls include a variety of deep, guttural growls, grunts, and trills, often described as sounding like a barking dog or a pig.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatsmarine, coastal cliffs, rocky islands, open ocean
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands throughout the Bering Sea, Sea of Okhotsk, and Aleutian Islands, extending south to the Kuril Islands. They winter in the North Pacific, often remaining near their breeding grounds but also dispersing more widely.
Identifying FeaturesForward-curving black crest, Bright orange bill, White iris, Thin white plume behind the eye, Overall dark sooty plumage
Description
The Crested Auklet is a medium-sized, dark seabird easily recognized by its distinctive forward-curving crest and bright orange bill. These highly social birds form massive breeding colonies on rocky islands and forage for zooplankton and small fish in cold northern waters.
