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Crested Auklet - Aethia cristatella

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Alcidae
Genus: Aethia

ICUN Redlist - World Status:

Least Concern

Description

The crested auklet is a stocky seabird that is about nine inches tall. It has dark brown to black feathers.

In breeding season, it has a white plume beside its eyes and a crest of feathers that curls forward on the top of its head.

It has a bright orange bill, a very short tail, and webbed black feet. Males and females look the same.

Range

map The crested auklet lives and breeds on islands and beaches off the coast of Alaska. It winters in the open ocean.

Habitat

The crested auklet nests on island coasts with lots of rocks and boulders. In non-breeding season, it live on the open ocean.

Diet

The crested auklet eats plankton.

Life Cycle

The crested auklet nests in large colonies. The female crested auklet usually lays just one egg in the boulders and crevices in cliffs. The egg hatches in a little over a month.The auklet stores plankton in a pouch under its tongue to feed to the chick. The chick fledges in a little over a month.

Behavior

The crested auklet is built for life in the water. Its feet are set back on its body, making the crested auklet awkward on land. It is a good swimmer and dives for food from the water's surface.

Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Ryan P. O'Donnell