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Whiskered Auklet

Aethia pygmaea

Least Concern · IUCN Red List

LCLeast ConcernInvertebratesMarineCavity nestMedium · 112 g
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 1
Photo: Ingvild Riska · Public domain
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 2
Photo: L. Lauber · Public domain
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 3
Photo: Mckenzie Mudge/US Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domain
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 4
Photo: L. Lauber · Public domain
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 5
Photo: Mckenzie Mudge/US Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domain
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 6
Photo: Department of the Interior. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Conservation Training Center. 10/1997-8888 · Public domain
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 7
Photo: Department of the Interior. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Conservation Training Center. 10/1997-8888 · Public domain
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 8
Photo: Ingvild Riska · CC BY 4.0
Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea), photo 9
Photo: Ingvild Riska · CC BY 4.0

ID tip

An odd characteristic of this bird, which is also shared with the crested auklet, is that its plumage smells of citrus. Fishing boats pose a huge threat to this bird, since it is attracted to lights at night.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Whiskered Auklet

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 5 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is June, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Whiskered Auklet

Regular rangeRare visitor

The map shades 1 country with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

Russia

Recorded as a rare visitor in United States.

About the Whiskered Auklet

The whiskered auklet 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, 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.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla) Least AukletAethia pusillaThe least auklet is a seabird and the smallest species of auk. Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella) Crested AukletAethia cristatellaThe crested auklet can measure 18–27 cm (7.1–10.6 in) in length, 34–50 cm (13–20 in) in wingspan and weigh 195–330 g (6.9–11.6 oz). Parakeet Auklet (Aethia psittacula) Parakeet AukletAethia psittaculaThe parakeet auklet is a small (23 cm) auk with a short orange bill that is upturned to give the bird its curious fixed expression.

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