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A photo of a Parakeet Auklet (Aethia psittacula)
Parakeet Auklet

Parakeet Auklet

Aethia psittacula

The parakeet auklet (Aethia psittacula) is a small seabird of the North Pacific. Parakeet Auklets used to be placed on its own in the genus Cyclorrhynchus but recent morphological and genetic evidence suggest it should be placed in the genus Aethia, making them closely related to crested auklets and least auklets. It is associated with the boreal waters of Alaska, Kamchatka and Siberia. It breeds on the cliffs, slopes and boulder fields of offshore islands, generally moving south during the winter. The parakeet auklet is a small (23 cm) auk with a short orange bill that is upturned to give the bird its curious fixed expression. The upward bend of the beak has been observed to provide advantages in picking up small food pieces from the sea bottom as well as in assisting in the disintegration of larger food objects. The bird's plumage is dark above and white below. with a single white plume projecting back from the eye. There is a small amount of variation between breeding and winter plumage.
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Parakeet Auklets on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Caitlyn Brown
Caitlyn Brown
Friday 16 Jun 2023 - 3:59am
United States
A photo of a Parakeet Auklet photographed in  United Kingdom
🦢
Shazia Naqib
Monday 03 Oct 2022 - 6:07pm
United Kingdom
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith
Saturday 28 Aug 2021 - 1:42pm
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith
Saturday 21 Aug 2021 - 12:45pm
United States
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