Least Auklet vs Ancient Murrelet
Aethia pusilla compared with Synthliboramphus antiquus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Least Auklet | Ancient Murrelet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aethia pusilla | Synthliboramphus antiquus |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae | Alcidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 18.9 cm (7.4 in) | 27.1 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 84.33333333333333 g (2.97 oz) | 208.16666666666666 g (7.34 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Least Auklet
Least Concern
Ancient 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.
Ancient Murrelet
Ancient Murrelet, 24–27 cm, breeds in burrows on North Pacific islands from British Columbia to Japan. Black hood, grey back, white underparts with yellow bill. Nocturnal at colonies to avoid predators. Chicks lead-march to sea within days of hatching — abandoning the nest very early. Planktivore and piscivore.