Least Auklet vs Kittlitz's Murrelet
Aethia pusilla compared with Brachyramphus brevirostris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Least Auklet | Kittlitz's Murrelet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aethia pusilla | Brachyramphus brevirostris |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 18.9 cm (7.4 in) | 27.6 cm (10.9 in) |
| Weight | 84.33333333333333 g (2.97 oz) | 233.0333333333333 g (8.22 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Least Auklet
Near Threatened
Kittlitz's Murrelet
About These Birds
Least Auklet
Least Auklet, 15–16 cm, is the smallest auk, breeding in immense colonies (millions) on rocky Aleutian and Bering Sea islands. Dark above, streaked white below; a tiny white plume above the eye. Planktivore; sieves copepods and euphausiids at sea. Makes loud buzzing display choruses at colony.
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Kittlitz's Murrelet, 23–25 cm, is an enigmatic auk that nests on rocky tundra above the tree line in Alaska and eastern Russia, often near glaciers. Mottled brown in summer, white in winter. Critically dependent on glacial outwash for foraging; Vulnerable as glaciers recede. Piscivore.