Whiskered auklet

The Whiskered Auklet is a poorly studied species and much research needs to be undertaken on the species. It was originally described as two different species, from specimens collected at different ends of its range, however research has shown that it is a single species with clinal variation along its range. It is not thought to undertake migration, but instead attends its breeding islands year round. Whiskered Auklets lay a single egg in a rocky crevice, in loose colonies with other Whiskered Auklets and also other colonial seabirds. Both parents take part in incubation and chick rearing. The whiskers have been shown to help them sense their way to and out of their nests at night.

The Whiskered auklet is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Whiskered Auklet breeds and winters largely in the remote Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Identification A slaty, robin-sized alcid of the Aleutian Islands, Whiskered Auklet is best told from other similar looking species by its elongate white and black plumes of feathers on its head. Its bill is short and orange and its eye is yellow. Young birds are very drab and lack the ornate feather plumes and orange bill of the adult. More

Whiskered auklets are socially active on land at their breeding colonies only at night, and most displays occur within rock crevices, hampering attempts to experimentally investigate ornament function. However, the display of whiskered auklet's crest and plumes during social activity (Hunter and Jones 1999Go; Zubakin and Konyukhov 1999Go) and their structural similarity to least and crested auklet ornaments have suggested that whiskered auklet's ornaments might be a similar product of mutual sexual selection (Jones 1999Go). More

The Whiskered Auklet is a small alcid endemic to an arc of volcanic islands formed by the Aleutian, Commander, and Kuril island chains. Distinguished by unique, ornate facial plumes, for which it is named, the Whiskered Auklet is much rarer and less colonial than its abundant congeners the Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella) and Least Auklet (A. pusilla). It has been less thoroughly studied than most alcids because of its isolated range and secretive, nocturnal behavior at breeding sites. More

The Whiskered Auklet, Aethia pygmaea, is a small seabird of the auk family. It has a more restricted range than other members of its genus, Aethia, living only around the Aleutian Islands and on some islands off Siberia (like Commander Islands), and breeding on these islands. It is one of the smallest alcids, only the closely related Least Auklet being smaller. Its name is derived from the long white feathers on its face that are part of its breeding plumage. More

Whiskered Auklet: Common in Alaska near water. Breeding and Nesting Whiskered Auklet: One pear-shaped, dull white egg is laid in a nest built in a crevice of an inaccessible, overhanging ledge or rocky shore. Incubation ranges from 35 to 36 days and is carried out by both parents. Foraging and Feeding Whiskered Auklet: Eats small crustaceans, marine worms, and mollusks; forages in turbulent waters. More

Whiskered Auklet Aethia pygmaea - Adult in breeding plumage Whiskered Auklet Photographer : More

Whiskered Auklet: Common in Alaska near water. Listen to Call Voice Text No data available. Interesting Facts * The Whiskered Auklet was originally described as two different species, from specimens collected at different ends of its range. * It is one of the smallest alcids, only the closely related Least Auklet being smaller. More

Also, Whiskered Auklet has an even smaller bill. The only other species that comes close structurally is Cassin's Auklet. The slightly paler area wrapping up around the auriculars on our bird also fits Cassin's Auklet, as does the white trailing edge to the secondaries and pale belly. The small triangular bill and short chunky body area are also perfect for Cassin's Auklet. This Cassin's Auklet was photographed off Westport, Washington in July 2006. More

The distinctive, small Whiskered Auklet occurs on an arc of islands in the North Pacific, from the Aleutians in the east through the Kuril Islands of eastern Russia. One of the rarest alcids, it nests in loose colonies in rocky crevices and forages at sea on convergent tidal fronts for marine zooplankton. Numbering an estimated 24,000, population trends for the bird are unknown, though it is a locally common breeder in the Aleutians. More

063_081 Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) Adult bird nocturnal at colony. Aleutian Islands east of Unimak Pass. 063_081 Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) Adult bird nocturnal at colony. Aleutian Islands east of Unimak Pass. Add to Lightbox - Lightbox Buy Now - Buy Now 063_082 Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) Adult bird nocturnal at colony. Aleutian Islands east of Unimak Pass. 063_082 Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) Adult bird nocturnal at colony. More

An adult Whiskered Auklet is black in color with black crests coming from its forehead and three white plumes adorning its face. Its bill is red in colour with the tip being a much paler shade. Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) Adult bird nocturnal at colony. Aleutian Islands east of Unimak Pass. More

A Whiskered Auklet is a type of bird who resides around the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, USA and can often be seen around the rock cliffs. A small sea bird is a Whiskered Auklet who resides around the Aleutian Islands and on some of the... photo of Coastal Sea Bird Coastal Sea Bird Aethia pygmaea Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) Adult bird nocturnal at colony. Aleutian Islands east of Unimak... More

Whiskered Auklets lay a single egg in a rocky crevice, in loose colonies with other Whiskered Auklets and also other colonial seabirds. Both parents take part in incubation and chick rearing. The whiskers have been shown to help them sense their way to and out of their nests at night. Whiskered Auklets feed in the inshore zone, usually within 16 km of land, where tidal currents concentrate their prey into dense swarms. More

Most habitats preferred by Whiskered Auklets are protected within the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge (Aleutian Islands). Many aspects of the breeding biology and population dynamics of this species are unknown and research on this bird is difficult because of its nocturnal behavior, hard-to-locate and widely dispersed nests, and isolated breeding and winter ranges. Without population estimates, however, managing viable populations will be difficult. Until then, habitat protection must remain a priority for this species both within and outside the U.S. More

We are able to get very close to Whiskered Auklets that are calling and displaying. Laysan Albatross, Short-tailed Shearwater, Kittlitz Murrelet, Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel can usually be seen up close and personal as well. CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT Details provided closer to departure date. SOME RECOMMENDED FIELD GUIDES AND BOOKS North American Field Guides & Bird Finding Guides: * Field Guide to the Birds of North America, Fifth Edition. More

locations (Adak is the other) where the Whiskered Auklet can easily be found. The boat we use is large enough and fast enough to transport us to both the Baby Islands for Whiskered Auklet and the Chelan Banks for deeper water pelagics. Dutch Harbor has the highest concentration of Bald Eagles in the Aleutians because of the fish processing plants. Accommodation at the deluxe Grand Aleutian Hotel. Meals will take advantage of the wealth of excellent seafood available. More

Whiskered Auklets lay a single egg in a rocky crevice, in loose colonies with other Whiskered Auklets and also other colonial seabirds. Both parents take part in incubation and chick ... en.wikipedia. More

of Whiskered Auklet in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Western Birds 11: p135-140. - Copyright More

Whiskered Auklet at Buldir Island, Alaska. Their... Click to show "Whiskered Auklet" result 6 372 x 250 88 kb Source: US Fish and Wildlife This image is in public... Click to show "Whiskered Auklet" result 7 182 x 500 25 kb Whiskered Auklet 19. AEthia pygmoea . 7 1/2 inches.... More