Ancient Murrelet vs Guadalupe Murrelet

Synthliboramphus antiquus compared with Synthliboramphus hypoleucus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Ancient Murrelet Guadalupe Murrelet
Scientific Name Synthliboramphus antiquus Synthliboramphus hypoleucus
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Alcidae Alcidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length
Wingspan 27.1 cm (10.7 in) 23.9 cm (9.4 in)
Weight 208.16666666666666 g (7.34 oz) 160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Ancient Murrelet only

Guadalupe Murrelet only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Ancient Murrelet

Endangered

Guadalupe Murrelet

About These Birds

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.

Guadalupe Murrelet

Guadalupe Murrelet, 22–24 cm, breeds only on Guadalupe Island off Baja California. Very similar to Scripps's Murrelet but with more extensive white on the face. Critically Endangered; fewer than 1,000 individuals; nesting habitat threatened by feral cats and goats (now being controlled). Piscivore.

More Birds to Explore

Explore the Nature FYI Family