Whiskered Auklet

Overview

Whiskered Auklet: Small seabird, mostly dark slate-gray with three thin, white whiskers on each side of face, long, thin, forward-curling black crest on forehead, and small, yellow-tipped bright orange bill. Eyes are white. Feeds on marine worms, small crustaceans, mollusks.

Range and Habitat

Whiskered Auklet: Common in Alaska near water.

INTERESTING FACTS

The Whiskered Auklet was originally described as two different species, from specimens collected at different ends of its range.
It is not thought to undertake migration, but instead attends its breeding islands year round.
It is one of the smallest alcids, only the closely related Least Auklet being smaller.
A group of auks has many collective nouns, including a "colony", "loomery", and "raft" of auks.

The Whiskered Auklet is a small seabird found only on or near the Aleutian Islands and Commander Islands located off of Siberia. It is a poorly researched species, but received its name from the white whisker-like plumage on its head. It is not believed that this species migrates southward during the winter, but rather takes permanent residence in its breeding range. Nests are made within rocky crevices on the coastlines of its home islands. Feeding takes place inland from the coast, and typical diets consist of copepods in the summer and euphausiid krill in the fall and winter. The conservation rating for the Whiskered Auklet is Least Concern.