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Crested Auklet - Aethia cristatella

crested auklet

Characteristics
Range
Habitat
Diet
Life Cycle
Behavior

 Classification

 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Aves
 Order: Charadriiformes
 Family: Alcidae
 Genus:  Aethia 

Crested Auklet
ICUN Redlist - World Status: Least ConcernLeast Concern
    Audio Credit: xeno-canto.org Ryan P. O'Donnell cc logo
  Characteristics

Crested AukletThe crested auklet is a stocky seabird that is about nine inches tall. It has dark brown to black feathers.

In breeding season it has a white plume beside its eyes and a crest of feathers that curls forward on the top of its head.

It has a bright orange bill, a very short tail and webbed black  feet. Males and females look the same.

  Range
mapThe crested auklet lives and breeds on islands and beaches off the coast of Alaska. It winters in the open ocean.

  Habitat

Crested AukletThe crested auklet nests on island coasts with lots of rocks and boulders. In non-breeding season, it live on the open ocean.

 

  Diet
The crested auklet eats plankton.
  Life Cycle
Crested AukletThe crested auklet nests in large colonies. The female crested auklet usually lays just one egg in the boulders and crevices in cliffs. The egg hatches in a little over a month. The auklet stores plankton in a pouch under its tongue to feed to the chick. The chick will fledge in a little over a month.

  Behavior
Crested AukletThe crested auklet is built for life in the water. Its feet are set back on its body, making the crested auklet awkward on land. It is a good swimmer and dives for food from the water's surface.




 


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