Dovekie
NameDovekie
Common NameDovekie
Scientific NameAlle alle
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)34
Length (cm)20
Weight (g)165
Plumage DetailsAdults in breeding plumage are entirely black on the head, neck, back, and upperparts, with a small white crescent above the eye and white streaks on the scapulars. The underparts are pure white. In winter, the throat and sides of the neck become white.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include high-pitched, chattering trills, chirps, and a distinctive 'krrr' sound, especially around breeding colonies.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal, wetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds in the high Arctic regions of the North Atlantic, including Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya, and northern Canada. Winters in subarctic waters, extending south to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland and the North Sea.
Identifying FeaturesVery small, plump body, Short, stubby bill, Black upperparts and white underparts, White streaks on scapulars (back), Rapid, whirring flight
Description
The Dovekie is a very small, chunky seabird with a distinctive black and white plumage. It spends most of its life at sea, feeding on zooplankton, and breeds in vast colonies on Arctic and subarctic coasts.
