Synthliboramphus antiquus
The Ancient Murrelet (*Synthliboramphus antiquus*) is a charmingly distinctive small seabird of the Alcid family, often described as dove-sized, measuring approximately 25 cm in length with a wingspan of 45 cm and weighing around 200 grams. Its striking plumage features a slate-grey back and wings, a pristine white belly, and a diagnostic black cap with prominent white plumes extending from behind the eye, particularly noticeable in breeding plumage, giving rise to its "ancient" moniker. A sh...
This pelagic seabird primarily inhabits temperate to subarctic coastal and offshore marine waters, breeding on remote islands with dense forest canopies, thick undergrowth, or rocky slopes for burrow nesting.
Their diet primarily consists of small schooling fish such as sandlance, herring, and capelin, supplemented by marine invertebrates including krill, euphausiids, and other crustaceans, all captured through expert pursuit diving underwater.
Ancient Murrelets exhibit fascinating behavioral adaptations, particularly during their breeding season where colony activity is almost entirely nocturnal, a key strategy to avoid aerial predators like gulls and raptors; by day, they forage diurnally at sea. As pursuit divers, they skillfully swi...
The Ancient Murrelet's extensive breeding range spans the North Pacific, from the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska, south along the British Columbia coast, including significant colonies in Haida Gwaii, and occasionally reaching as far south as the coast of Washington. Across the Pacific, ...
Near Threatened
- The name "Ancient Murrelet" refers to the long, white head plumes that resemble an old man's beard, particularly striking in breeding plumage. - Ancient Murrelet chicks are among the most precocial birds, leaving their nest burrow just 1-3 days after hatching. - These tiny chicks are capable of...