Least Auklet
NameLeast Auklet
Common NameLeast Auklet
Scientific NameAethia pusilla
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)34.5
Length (cm)14.5
Weight (g)80
Plumage DetailsAdults have dark sooty-gray to brownish-black upperparts, with heavily mottled white underparts, particularly on the flanks and belly. A prominent white eye ring is present, often accompanied by fine white plumes behind the eye. The bill is short and reddish-orange.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations are varied, including high-pitched chirps, trills, and chattering calls, especially around breeding colonies. They produce squeaky, twittering sounds.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, extending west to the Kuril Islands and the Sea of Okhotsk. Winters in offshore waters near their breeding grounds.
Identifying Featuressmallest alcid, white eye ring, short red bill, mottled black and white plumage, small size
Description
The Least Auklet is the smallest species of auklet, a tiny seabird found in the North Pacific. It has a distinctive white eye ring and a short, reddish bill, foraging for zooplankton in cold northern waters. These highly social birds form massive breeding colonies on rocky islands and coastal cliffs.
