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Whiskered Auklet
Aethia pygmaea
At a Glance
Poorly known to most birders, the Whiskered Auklet is a small seabird confined to remote areas of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska (as well as the Commander and Kurile islands off eastern Asia). Relatively scarce and secretive, it is active around its nesting colonies mostly at night. Unlike most auks, it seldom ventures more than a few miles away from shore. One odd distinction shared with its relative, Crested Auklet: the plumage has a noticeable odor like citrus.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Auks, Murres, Puffins, Upright-perching Water Birds
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean
Region
Alaska and The North
Behavior
Direct Flight, Rapid Wingbeats
Population
67.000
Range & Identification
Migration & Range Maps
Apparently permanent resident of waters near its nesting islands.
Description
7-7 1/2" (18-19 cm). Like Crested Auklet but smaller, with three prominent white face plumes, longer thin crest on forehead.
Size
About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, Gray, Red, White
Wing Shape
Pointed, Short, Tapered
Tail Shape
Short
Songs and Calls
A whining me-ow.
Call Pattern
Flat, Simple
Call Type
Chatter, Chirp/Chip
Habitat
Ocean, tide-rips, rocky coasts. Usually at sea within a few miles of islands, in relatively shallow water. Favors rough water where currents converge, or where tidal currents race across shallows or through narrow passes between islands. Nests on islands among rocks or cliffs.
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Behavior
Eggs
one. Dull white. Incubation is by both sexes, roughly 35-36 days.
Young
both parents feed young, visiting nests at night, bringing food back in throat pouch. Age of young bird at departure from nest not well known, may be about 40 days. Fledgling departs by flying away from nest site at night.
Feeding Behavior
Forages while swimming underwater. Depth of dives unknown, but usually feeds in fairly shallow water.
Diet
Small crustaceans. Diet not well known, primarily small crustaceans including copepods, euphausiid shrimp, amphipods; also marine worms, mollusks. May concentrate on copepods in summer, euphausiids in winter.
Nesting
Breeds in colonies, not as densely packed as in related small auks. Active at colonies mostly at night, especially when not nesting in association with other species. Courtship behavior not well known, includes pairs calling in duet. Nest sites in small openings in talus slopes, boulder piles, or crevices in cliffs, sometimes in areas of soil mixed with rock. No nest built, egg laid on bare rock or soil.
Climate Vulnerability
Conservation Status
Total population probably very low compared to most auks. Attracted to lights at night, may be killed by crashing into lighted fishing boats. Accidental introduction of rats to nesting islands may be biggest threat.
