About the Long-billed Murrelet
The long-billed murrelet is a small seabird from the North Pacific. The genus name Brachyramphus is from Ancient Greek brakhus, "short", and rhamphos, "bill". The species name perdix is Latin for "partridge" Pallas described this auk as Magnitudine Perdicis. "Murrelet" is a diminutive of "murre", a word of uncertain origins, but which may imitate the call of the common guillemot.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The long-billed murrelet is a small (25 cm long), chunky auk with a slender black bill. It has pointed wings and plumage that varies by season. The non-breeding appearance is typically white underneath with a black crown, nape, wings and back. The breeding plumage is mainly brown, with pale feather edges giving a scaly appearance; the central underparts, normally below the surface on a swimming bird, are white. The long-billed murrelet is longer billed, slightly larger, and 20% heavier than the marbled murrelet, and has a white eye ring.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Long-billed Murrelet lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China.
When to see the Long-billed Murrelet
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Learn the Long-billed Murrelet in BeakBrain
Photo and call practice, free in any browser.
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.