Bird GuideAuks, Murres, PuffinsLong-billed Murrelet
Long-billed Murrelet
Brachyramphus perdix

At a Glance

A close relative of the Marbled Murrelet, formerly regarded as belonging to the same species. The Long-billed Murrelet nests along the coast of Siberia, and shows up as a very rare wanderer to the Pacific Coast of North America. Remarkably, it has also occurred very far inland on this continent, with scattered records on lakes in many interior states, from Wyoming to Ohio, and a number of records along the Atlantic Coast south to Florida. No one has been able to explain why a coastal seabird from Siberia would wander so widely across North America.
Category
Upright-perching Water Birds
Conservation
Low Concern
Habitat
Lakes, Ponds, and Rivers, Open Ocean
Region
California, Northwest, Rocky Mountains
Behavior
Direct Flight, Rapid Wingbeats

Range & Identification

Description

10" (25cm) This rare visitor from Asia is very similar to Marbled Murrelet, but with longer bill. In breeding plumage, has paler throat. In winter plumage, lacks white collar of Marbled, shows pale oval spots on black nape.
Size
About the size of a Crow
Color
Black, Gray, White
Wing Shape
Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Short

Songs and Calls

Call a distinct, incisive keer, higher and noticeably shorter than Marbled.
Call Pattern
Flat, Rising, Simple
Call Type
Scream