Kittlitz's Murrelet
Brachyramphus brevirostris
The Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) is a rare auks, puffins, and murr found in 3 countries, weighing about 234 g. Kittlitz's murrelet is a small alcid found in the waters off Alaska and Eastern Siberia.
About the Kittlitz's Murrelet
Kittlitz's murrelet is a small alcid found in the waters off Alaska and Eastern Siberia. This near threatened species is, like the closely related marbled murrelet, unusual for seabirds in not being colonial, nesting instead in isolated locations on mountain tops, where the nests were known to Native Americans for many years before skeptical ornithologists described and photographed them. It is a poorly known and little studied species, although concern over its status and that of the closely related marbled murrelet has led to a recent increase in research.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada.
When to see it
Best months: May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in June. It is a summer visitor species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- What does a Kittlitz's Murrelet look like?
- Kittlitz's murrelet is a small alcid found in the waters off Alaska and Eastern Siberia.
- How big is a Kittlitz's Murrelet?
- The Kittlitz's Murrelet is a medium sized bird weighing about 234 g.
- Where can you see a Kittlitz's Murrelet?
- The Kittlitz's Murrelet occurs in 3 countries, including the United States and Russia.
- What birds look similar to a Kittlitz's Murrelet?
- The Kittlitz's Murrelet is most easily confused with the Long-billed Murrelet and the Marbled Murrelet.
- Is the Kittlitz's Murrelet endangered?
- The Kittlitz's Murrelet is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Kittlitz's Murrelet for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.