Aethia psittacula
The Parakeet Auklet (Aethia psittacula) is a captivating small seabird, instantly recognizable by its vibrant orange-red, upward-curved bill with a yellow base, which gives it a somewhat 'parakeet-like' profile and its common name. This compact alcid measures approximately 23-27 cm (9-11 inches) in length, with a wingspan of about 45-50 cm (18-20 inches) and weighs 270-350 grams (9.5-12.3 ounces). Its plumage is predominantly dark sooty-brown or black on the upperparts, contrasting sharply wi...
This pelagic marine species primarily inhabits cold, offshore waters of the subarctic Pacific and Bering Sea, utilizing rocky coastlines, cliffs, and talus slopes for colonial breeding.
Parakeet Auklets are specialized planktivores, feeding almost exclusively on zooplankton, primarily copepods, euphausiids, and amphipods, captured by pursuit diving beneath the surface.
Parakeet Auklets are diurnal birds, spending most of their non-breeding lives on the open ocean, coming to shore only to breed. They are highly colonial breeders, forming dense aggregations on suitable rocky islands and coastlines, often alongside other alcids. Foraging involves pursuit diving, u...
The Parakeet Auklet boasts a vast breeding range across the North Pacific Ocean, including the Aleutian Islands, Kodiak Island, and other islands in the Gulf of Alaska, northward through the Bering Sea to St. Lawrence and Diomede Islands, and westward to the Commander Islands, Kuril Islands, and ...
Least Concern
- The Parakeet Auklet's distinctive, upward-curved orange-red bill is unique among auklets and perfectly adapted for filtering small crustaceans from the water. - They can dive to impressive depths, potentially over 50 meters (160 feet), in pursuit of their tiny prey. - Despite their small size, ...