Least Auklet vs Thick-billed Murre

Aethia pusilla compared with Uria lomvia

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Least Auklet Thick-billed Murre
Scientific Name Aethia pusilla Uria lomvia
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Alcidae Alcidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 18.9 cm (7.4 in) 41.4 cm (16.3 in)
Weight 84.33333333333333 g (2.97 oz) 945.75 g (33.36 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 1
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Least Auklet only

None

Thick-billed Murre only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Least Auklet

Least Concern

Thick-billed Murre

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.

Thick-billed Murre

Thick-billed Murre (Brünnich's Guillemot), 39–43 cm, breeds in enormous cliff colonies across the Arctic from Newfoundland to Siberia. Thicker, shorter bill with white gape line. Dives to 200+ m — deepest diver among alcids. Piscivore; takes capelin, cod. Vulnerable to climate change in the High Arctic.

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