Cassin's Auklet vs Ancient Murrelet

Ptychoramphus aleuticus compared with Synthliboramphus antiquus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Cassin's Auklet Ancient Murrelet
Scientific Name Ptychoramphus aleuticus Synthliboramphus antiquus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Alcidae Alcidae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 24.2 cm (9.5 in) 27.1 cm (10.7 in)
Weight 175.0 g (6.17 oz) 208.16666666666666 g (7.34 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 1 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Cassin's Auklet only

None

Ancient Murrelet only

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Cassin's Auklet

Least Concern

Ancient Murrelet

About These Birds

Cassin's Auklet

Cassin's Auklet, 21–23 cm, is a small, almost entirely dark grey auklet breeding in burrows on rocky North Pacific islands from Baja California to the Aleutians. Feeds almost exclusively on zooplankton — euphausiids and copepods — at night. Highly colonial; winters near shore.

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.

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