Scripps's Murrelet

The Scripps's murrelet, a small seabird of the auk family, presents a striking black and white plumage. With a diminutive head and a slender, sharp bill, it is an agile navigator of the Pacific's waters.

Identification Tips

To identify the Scripps's murrelet, look for its contrasting black upperparts and white underparts, a pattern typical of many auks. Its bill is notably thin and pointed, aiding in the capture of its prey.

Habitat

This species favors the marine environment of the California Current system, breeding on the rocky islands off the coasts of California and Mexico.

Distribution

Breeding colonies of the Scripps's murrelet are found on the Channel Islands of California, with significant populations on the Coronado Islands and Santa Barbara Island, as well as several islands off Baja California, including Isla Guadalupe. Post-breeding, they disperse northward to offshore waters, reaching as far as British Columbia.

Behaviour

Remarkably, Scripps's murrelet chicks venture to the sea at a mere two days old. Adults feed on larval fish, often near large predatory fish like tuna, and are observed to be almost always in pairs, suggesting potential cooperative feeding. They are adept fliers and can take off without needing to run on the water's surface.

Breeding

The murrelet nests in scattered colonies on arid islands, choosing crevices, caves, or under dense vegetation for laying two eggs. The species exhibits nocturnal return to the colony to avoid predation. Chicks are precocial and make their way to the sea shortly after hatching, where they meet their parents and swim to offshore waters.

Similar Species

The closely related Craveri's murrelet shares a similar range and appearance but can be distinguished by subtle differences in facial patterns and bill shape.

Diet and Feeding

Scripps's murrelet primarily feeds on larval fish such as anchovies, sardines, and Sebastes rockfish. It hunts underwater using its wings to propel itself in pursuit of prey.

Conservation status

Classified as Vulnerable, the Scripps's murrelet faces threats from oil spills and introduced predators like rats and feral cats. Conservation efforts, including predator removal and habitat restoration, have been undertaken to mitigate these threats and protect this delicate species.