Parakeet Auklet
NameParakeet Auklet
Common NameParakeet Auklet
Scientific NameAethia psittacula
FamilyAlcidae
Wingspan (cm)34
Length (cm)24
Weight (g)250
Plumage DetailsAdults have entirely black upperparts, head, and throat, contrasting sharply with pure white underparts. A thin, white plume curves backward from just behind the eye. The bill is bright orange with a yellowish tip and is strongly upturned. Legs and feet are gray.
Vocalization / CallGenerally quiet at sea, Parakeet Auklets produce a variety of soft purring, growling, and chattering calls on their breeding grounds.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, extending to the Kuril Islands and Sea of Okhotsk. Winters offshore in the North Pacific, south to Japan and California.
Identifying Featuresbright orange, upturned bill, white plume behind the eye, stark black and white plumage, small, stocky body
Description
The Parakeet Auklet is a small, stocky seabird characterized by its distinctive bright orange, upturned bill and a delicate white plume extending from behind its eye. It spends most of its life at sea, diving efficiently to forage for zooplankton and small crustaceans.
