Ancient Murrelet

The Ancient Murrelet, a member of the auk family, is a small seabird with a distinctive appearance. The head, throat, and rear neck are cloaked in black, while the back is adorned with a mantle of grey. Its underparts are a stark white, and it possesses a short, stubby yellow bill. The tail is small and rounded, black in color. In summer, adults display white head streaks, which contribute to their 'ancient' appearance, hence the name.

Identification Tips

When observing the Ancient Murrelet, look for the characteristic white streaks on the head of summer adults, which give them a distinguished, aged look. Note the black coloring on the head, throat, and rear neck, contrasting with the grey back and white underparts. Their flight is notable for banking from side to side more than other small auks, and their wing beats are rapid due to their short wings.

Habitat

The Ancient Murrelet breeds on islands in the North Pacific, with a significant presence from the Yellow Sea, through the Russian Pacific coast and the Aleutian Islands, to the Haida Gwaii archipelago of British Columbia.

Distribution

This species is known for its remarkable migration, with some individuals traveling 8,000 kilometers from Canada to winter near Japan and China, despite similar climates at both ends. Others may venture south to California or be found inland in North America after autumn storms.

Behaviour

Ancient Murrelets are nocturnal on their breeding grounds, arriving and departing under the cover of darkness. The young are taken to sea shortly after hatching and are never fed at the nest. Families travel extensively at sea, with the young being fed by their parents for over a month in the marine environment.

Song & Calls

The calls of the Ancient Murrelet are crucial for parent-chick recognition, especially when the chicks must locate their parents by sound to reunite at sea after leaving the nest.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in colonies on islands, with nests situated in burrows among tree roots, under logs, or in grass tussocks. Sometimes one or two eggs are laid, and the chicks are led to sea within a few days of hatching, where they continue to be cared for by their parents.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Ancient Murrelet varies seasonally, consisting mainly of crustaceans in winter and a mix of small fish and crustaceans in summer. They forage by swimming underwater, propelled by their wings.

Conservation status

The Ancient Murrelet is listed as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN, but it is of 'Special Concern' in Canada due to significant population declines from introduced mammalian predators. Conservation efforts, such as the eradication of rats from breeding islands, are ongoing to protect and restore populations.