Auks are a family of seabirds found in the northern hemisphere, primarily the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. They are believed to have evolved from shorebirds during the mid-Miocene period, between 12 and 15 million years ago.
There are a total of 22 species of auks, all of which are distinguished by their unique physical characteristics and behaviors. They are characterized by their black and white coloration, webbed feet, and a thick layer of down feathers for insulation.
Auks are excellent swimmers and divers, and many species feed on fish and other aquatic organisms. They are also expert fliers, and can travel great distances when migrating.
1. Little Auk
The Little Auk, also known as the Dovekie or Alle alle is a small but mighty bird. It has an unmistakable call that sounds like “alle” and is how it gets its name – taken from the Sami language of northern Scandinavia.
These birds are found in large flocks during winter months where they migrate to far north polar regions for feeding on fish, molluscs and crustaceans.
They nest near coasts in rocky areas with low vegetation cover making them difficult to spot amongst their natural habitat.
With numbers declining due to overfishing it’s important we take steps towards protecting this beautiful species so future generations can enjoy these little creatures too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Alle Link, 1806 |
| Species | A. alle |
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2. Great Auk
The great auk was an extraordinary flightless alcid bird that became extinct in the mid-19th century. It is unrelated to present day penguins, which were named after it because of their physical resemblance.
These majestic birds nested on rocky remote islands with easy access and could reach heights up to 75cm tall.
They had white underbellies, black heads and wings as well as bright yellow beaks. Great auks were strong swimmers who fed mainly on fish but also ate other aquatic animals such as molluscs, crabs and worms while they roamed over vast areas of the Atlantic Ocean.
Sadly this species has been lost forever due to human exploitation; hunting for food or eggs drove them into extinction far too quickly before any conservation efforts could take place.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | †Pinguinus Bonnaterre, 1791 |
| Species | †P. impennis |
3. Razorbill
The Razorbill is a seabird of the family Alcidae and is closely related to the extinct great auk. It lives in subarctic waters of the Atlantic Ocean, primarily black with white underside and both male and female look identical.
They have long pointed wings which help them dive underwater for their food that consists mainly of fish and crustaceans.
Usually they form large colonies on cliffs or rocky islands but can also be found solitary during breeding season when pairs nest together in crevices or rock ledges near sea level.
During winter they migrate southwards into open water areas where they stay until spring arrives again before returning back to breed once more.
The razorbill’s population has been declining due to human activity such as overfishing so conservation efforts are being made by governments across Europe in order to protect this species from extinction.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Alca |
| Species | A. torda |
4. Common Murre
The Common Murre, also known as a Common Guillemot is an Arctic and Boreal seabird that can be seen in North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans.
It has a stocky body with white underparts, black upper parts and striking yellow legs.
They are relatively large birds compared to their relatives but have weak flying abilities – they fly fast but not very agilely.
Their agility lies underwater instead where they are able to dive deep into the ocean depths for food such as fish, crustaceans or molluscs.
During breeding season these birds come ashore on rocky cliffsides or islands where they create burrows for nesting purposes.
The female lays one egg each year which both parents share incubation duties over it until hatching at around 30 days later.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Uria |
| Species | U. aalge |
5. Atlantic Puffin
The Atlantic puffin is a seabird that belongs to the auk family. It has two related species found in the northeastern Pacific, namely tufted and horned puffins.
This bird breeds widely throughout Russia, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Greenland and Canada’s Newfoundland & Labrador as well as Nova Scotia regions of Faroe Islands.
Its colorful beak with markings of yellowish-orange during mating season makes it stand out among other birds.
An interesting fact about this sea-dweller is its ability to fly underwater; they use their wings for propulsion while swimming.
The Atlantic puffin diet consists mainly of fish caught from shallow waters near shorelines or cliffsides where they nest annually during springtime months before embarking on long migrations southward towards winter grounds at seaside coasts until spring returns once again.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Fratercula |
| Species | F. arctica |
6. Black Guillemot
The Black Guillemot is a striking seabird found throughout the northern Atlantic coasts and eastern North American coasts. It has black feathers with white underparts, a red bill, and bright yellow feet.
They live around rocky shores, cliffs, and islands in single or small groups.
During winter months they migrate southwards from their high arctic breeding grounds to search for food sources such as fish eggs or invertebrates like shrimp that can be caught near shorelines.
Their diet also includes seeds and berries during summertime when they are nesting on coastal ledges creating burrows where they lay up to four pastel-colored eggs at once.
These amazing birds are very efficient swimmers using both their wings and webbed feet to propel themselves through water quickly while hunting prey.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Cepphus |
| Species | C. grylle |
7. Parakeet Auklet
The Parakeet Auklet is a small seabird of the North Pacific, previously placed in its own genus. Recent evidence suggests it should be part of another related group – the Crested and Least Auklets.
These birds are found mainly in Alaska, Kamchatka and Siberia; they make their home within boreal waters.
They have greyish feathers with white highlights on their wings and back, along with yellow legs that stand out against this colouring.
The bill is curved downwards for added uniqueness to these beautiful creatures.
In terms of behaviour, parakeet auklets tend to congregate around fishing vessels or other sources of food during winter months but migrate away from coastal areas during summertime breeding season.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Aethia |
| Species | A. psittacula |
8. Tufted Puffin
The Tufted Puffin is a medium-sized seabird belonging to the Alcidae family. It can be recognized by its thick red bill and yellow tufts, which give it an unmistakable appearance.
These birds inhabit the North Pacific Ocean and are relatively abundant compared to other species of puffin.
They measure around 35 cm in length with a similar wingspan, making them one of the smaller members of their genus Fratercula.
In terms of feeding habits they mainly eat small fish like herring or anchovies while at sea but also take advantage of food sources near shore when breeding season arrives.
Their eggs are laid in burrows that these feathered creatures dig into cliff faces for protection from predators; once hatched both parents help raise their young until they fledge later on in life.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Fratercula |
| Species | F. cirrhata |
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9. Thick-Billed Murre
The Thick-Billed Murre is a species of seabird in the Auk family. It is named after Danish zoologist Morten Thrane Brünnich, and nicknamed Pallas’ murre by some.
These birds have black plumage with white underparts, a thick bill and short wings which makes them excellent swimmers but poor flyers.
They can often be seen perched on cliffs or floating together at sea where they feed mainly on fish and mollusks.
The Thick-Billed Murres nest in colonies along coastal areas, laying their eggs directly onto rocky terrain or ledges instead of nests like other bird species do.
This tough little bird has been known to survive harsh arctic winters as well.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Uria |
| Species | U. lomvia |
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10. Crested Auklet
The Crested Auklet is a small seabird found in the northern Pacific and Bering Sea. It feeds by diving deep into the water, eating krill and other tiny marine animals.
When it comes to nesting, they form very large colonies of up to 1 million individuals.
These birds often breed alongside least-auks as well, creating mixed species colonies that are both beautiful and fascinating.
They have distinct yellow crests on their heads which gives them an easily recognizable look amongst other sea birds – making them quite popular among bird watchers.
Their populations remain stable for now but conservation efforts should continue so we can enjoy these amazing creatures for many years to come.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Aethia |
| Species | A. cristatella |
11. Horned Puffin
The Horned Puffin is an auk found in the North Pacific Ocean. It has striking black and white plumage, with its most distinctive feature being a “horn” of black skin located above each eye.
This species feeds mainly by diving for fish but also eats crustaceans and mollusks. They nest in colonies, often mixed with other auks such as murres or guillemots.
Despite their small size (around 30 cm long) they are strong fliers and can travel large distances across open oceans when searching for food.
The Horned Puffin is currently listed as Least Concern due to stable populations throughout its range although some declines have been noted from oil pollution and overfishing of prey species which could become concerning if not addressed soon enough.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Fratercula |
| Species | F. corniculata |
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12. Rhinoceros Auklet
The Rhinoceros auklet is an interesting seabird which is closely related to puffins. It’s the only living species of its genus, Cerorhinca, so it has been proposed that this bird be called a “rhinoceros puffin”.
This unique bird can be found in the North Pacific and feeds on small fish while nesting in colonies. Its name comes from the horn-like extension on its bill, although not all birds have one.
These little birds are known for their bright yellow eyes and white belly patches as well as their black heads and wings with light grey feathers around them.
All in all, these intriguing creatures make great additions to any beach or ocean scene.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Cerorhinca |
| Species | C. monocerata |
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13. Cassin’s Auklet
Cassin’s Auklet is a small, chunky seabird that resides in the North Pacific Ocean. It has an interesting appearance with its black head and white body.
Its wings are short and stubby which makes it difficult for them to fly long distances but they can swim quickly underwater to catch their prey.
Cassin’s Auklets nest in burrows on islands off British Columbia and California making them easily studied by researchers allowing them to be one of the better known auks.
The bird was named after American ornithologist John Cassin who first described this species back in 1858.
Today these birds continue to thrive thanks largely due to conservation efforts being made across our oceans.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Ptychoramphus Brandt, JF, 1837 |
| Species | P. aleuticus |
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14. Marbled Murrelet
The marbled murrelet is a small seabird from the North Pacific that belongs to the auk family. It can be found nesting in old-growth forests at higher latitudes where trees cannot grow, or on the ground.
This habit of nesting was only discovered after an astute tree climber spotted a chick back in 1974 – making it one of the last birds species native to North America whose nest remained unknown until then.
With its distinctive black and white plumage, this bird stands out amongst others; yet despite being so unique, their population has been declining due to human activity over recent years.
We must act now if we are to protect these fascinating creatures for future generations.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Brachyramphus |
| Species | B. marmoratus |
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15. Guadalupe Murrelet
The Guadalupe murrelet is a small seabird found in the California Current system of the Pacific Ocean.
It breeds on islands off the coasts of California and Mexico, but its population is threatened by introduced predators to their colonies as well as oil spills.
This species was previously classified under Synthliboramphus hypoleucus alongside Scripps’s Murrelets before being given its own separate taxonomic classification.
These birds are characterized by having light grey bodies with dark brown wings and a white chest patch that can be seen when it takes flight.
They feed mainly on fish larvae near ocean surface, diving often for sustenance during feeding times.
The conservation status of this bird has been listed as “vulnerable” due to threats from human activities such as habitat degradation and climate change which have caused drastic declines in numbers over recent yearsScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Synthliboramphus |
| Species | S. hypoleucus |
16. Long-Billed Murrelet
The Long-billed Murrelet is a small seabird that inhabits the North Pacific. Its genus name, Brachyramphus, comes from Ancient Greek and means “short bill”.
The species’ Latin name perdix translates to “partridge”; this was due to its resemblance to the partridge when it was first described by Pallas in 1764 as Magnitudine Perdicis (or “the size of a partridge”).
It is often referred to as simply murrelet, which derives from an unknown source but may imitate their calls. These birds are dark grey on top with white underbellies and have long bills for eating fish at sea.
They breed along coasts of Alaska during summertime before migrating southwards towards California or Japan for the winter months.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Brachyramphus |
| Species | B. perdix |
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17. Pigeon Guillemot
The pigeon guillemot is an interesting species of bird, belonging to the auk family. It has five subspecies, all with striking black and brown plumage that shimmers in sunlight.
When breeding, they have a distinctive wing patch broken up by a brown-black wedge for easy identification.
They are closely related to spectacled guillemots and share many features such as their razor sharp beaks which help them catch fish from the sea depths below.
These birds can often be spotted on rocky shores or offshore islands where there is plenty of food available for them to feed upon.
Their unique appearance makes them stand out amongst other types of seabirds making it easier for us humans to observe these wonderful creatures.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Cepphus |
| Species | C. columba |
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18. Craveri’s Murrelet
Craveri’s murrelet is a small seabird found mainly in the Pacific Ocean and Gulf of California. It breeds on offshore islands off the Baja peninsula, often migrating farther north to central California during post-breeding dispersal.
Unfortunately, this species faces several threats such as introduced predators, oil spills and tanker traffic which disrupts their natural habitat.
Conservation efforts are being made to protect Craveri’s murrelet from these dangers by creating protected areas for breeding colonies or enacting regulations against ship traffic near nesting sites.
With proper management, hopefully we can ensure that populations of this beautiful bird remain healthy and secure into the future.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Synthliboramphus |
| Species | S. craveri |
19. Japanese Murrelet
The Japanese murrelet is a small seabird belonging to the auk family. With its brown and white plumage, it can be found along Japan’s rocky coasts as well as in offshore waters and sometimes even further away from Sakhalin to the north and South Korea after breeding season.
Unfortunately, with an estimated population of 2,500-10,000 individuals their numbers are dwindling. Conservation efforts must be implemented if we want this species to survive for future generations.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Synthliboramphus |
| Species | S. wumizusume |
20. Ancient Murrelet
The Ancient Murrelet is a small seabird in the Auk family. This species has an unmistakable appearance, with its grey shawl-like back and white underparts.
It can also be identified by its call which resembles that of a common guillemot. The origin of their name remains uncertain but it may come from this distinctive sound they make when communicating with others.
They are found mainly around the coastal waters of North Pacific Ocean, particularly off parts of Alaska and Canada where food sources abound for them to feed on such as fish, molluscs and planktonic crustaceans.
These birds form large breeding colonies during springtime so they can protect themselves against predators more effectively while raising their young ones until independence comes at 6 weeks old.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Synthliboramphus |
| Species | S. antiquus |
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21. Kittlitz’s Murrelet
Kittlitz’s murrelet is a small alcid found in the northern Pacific Ocean. This near threatened species is unique compared to other seabirds, as it does not nest colonially but instead chooses isolated locations such as mountain tops for its nesting sites.
Native Americans were aware of this bird and its habits long before skeptical ornithologists described them in detail.
Kittlitz’s Murrelets are dark brown with white on their bellies and have distinctive orange-red legs and feet that help distinguish them from similar looking birds like Marbled Murrelets or Long-tailed Ducks.
Their diet consists mainly of fish eggs, crustaceans, marine invertebrates, and sometimes even squid – all obtained by diving underwater up to 100m deep.
Due to continued habitat destruction caused by human activities these beautiful birds are now listed as Near Threatened according to IUCN Red List criteria – let us do our part to protect them so they can thrive again.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Brachyramphus |
| Species | B. brevirostris |
22. Least Auklet
Least auklets are the world’s smallest species of seabird and one of its most abundant, with an estimated population of nine million. They breed on islands in Alaska and Siberia during summer months before migrating to spend their winters close to the edge of the ice sheet.
The largest colonies can be found on Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. These small birds have gray-brown bodies, black heads, billowy white breasts and bright orange legs that produce a distinctive ‘ticking’ sound when they take flight from their nesting sites. Least Auklets feed mainly on zooplankton which is scooped up at night while diving or swimming underwater; this behavior gives them access to food sources not available during daylight hours when other predators may be present..Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Aethia |
| Species | A. pusilla |
23. Whiskered Auklet
The Whiskered Auklet is a small seabird belonging to the family of Auks. It has an exclusive habitat, living only around the Aleutian Islands and some islands off Siberia like Commander Islands.
Its name comes from its long whiskers which are used for detecting prey in dark waters during night-time dives.
This species is one of the smallest alcids next to its relative Least Auklet with whom it shares similar features such as short wings, white feathers on their head and neck area as well as yellowish beaks.
During mating season they become more vibrant with bright orange bill markings and whitish patches above each eye.
They feed mostly on fish but also consume crustaceans or molluscs that can be found near shorelines or open ocean areas close by land masses where these birds reside most often throughout the year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Aethia |
| Species | A. pygmaea |
24. Spectacled Guillemot
The Spectacled Guillemot is a medium-sized seabird belonging to the auk family. It is around 38 cm long, with red legs and black bill, plus an all-black iris giving it its unique name.
During breeding season they have sooty-black plumage apart from white “spectacles” on their face which makes them easy to identify at this time of year.
Out of mating season they become more plain in colouring; their underneaths are then whitish throughout and tipped very slightly greyish above.
They live near coastal areas mostly along rocky coasts but also inshore waters such as bays or estuaries where there’s plenty for them to feed on like fish and crustaceans – making these birds excellent swimmers.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Cepphus |
| Species | C. carbo |
