Aethia pusilla
The Least Auklet (*Aethia pusilla*) is the smallest species in the Alcidae family, a charismatic and incredibly abundant seabird of the North Pacific, often noted for its energetic presence in massive colonies. Adults typically measure a mere 14-16 cm (5.5-6.3 inches) in length with a compact wingspan of 30-36 cm (12-14 inches) and weigh only 60-100 grams (2.1-3.5 oz). Its distinctive appearance includes a dark sooty-gray to black back, contrasting sharply with a clean white belly that is oft...
This pelagic species predominantly inhabits cold, productive marine waters. For breeding, Least Auklets congregate on rocky islands and coastal mainland cliffs, preferring scree slopes, boulder fields, and natural rock crevices for nesting sites.
The diet of the Least Auklet consists almost exclusively of zooplankton, primarily small copepods and euphausiids, which they capture by agile pursuit-diving in open ocean waters.
Least Auklets are highly social and diurnal seabirds, spending their nights rafting offshore or roosting within the protective confines of their massive breeding colonies. Their foraging strategy involves agile pursuit-diving, where they use their short, powerful wings for propulsion underwater t...
The Least Auklet’s breeding range is primarily concentrated across the North Pacific and Bering Sea, along the coastlines and islands of Alaska and the Russian Far East. Major breeding colonies are found throughout the Aleutian Islands, including Buldir Island, and on the Pribilof Islands, notabl...
Least Concern
- The Least Auklet is the smallest species of alcid in the world, weighing less than a common house sparrow. - Breeding colonies can be astonishingly dense, with estimates of up to 10,000 birds per hectare in optimal habitats. - They are capable of diving to considerable depths, though exact maxi...