Crested Auklet

The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella) is a diminutive seabird belonging to the Alcidae family. It is characterized by its dark sooty grey plumage, a distinctive forehead crest of black feathers, and a striking reddish-orange bill with yellow tips. Both males and females exhibit these features, with females having slightly smaller bills and crests. Juveniles resemble winter adults but lack the ornamental plumes.

Identification Tips

During the breeding season, the crested auklet is easily identified by its crest—a tuft of bristle-like feathers atop its head—and a unique citrus scent reminiscent of tangerines. In winter, the bill becomes smaller and dull yellow, and the crest and auricular plumes are less pronounced. Juveniles have smaller, dull brownish-yellow bills and lack the ornamental plumes of adults.

Habitat

The crested auklet inhabits northern Pacific Oceanic and Bering Sea regions, favoring slopes, boulder fields, lava flows, and sea cliffs. It is often found in the company of other auklet species, such as the least auklet.

Distribution

This species is widespread across the northern Pacific and Bering Sea, with non-breeding individuals commonly seen along the Aleutian and Kuril Islands, and Sakhalin. Breeding occurs in the Sea of Okhotsk and Bering Sea, where they nest in dense colonies.

Behaviour

Crested auklets are highly social, especially during the breeding season. They exhibit monogamy within a breeding year, with a notable percentage engaging in extra-pair copulations. They are known to circle high above the sea and their colonies, particularly when disturbed or threatened by predators.

Song & Calls

The crested auklet's vocal repertoire includes a variety of calls, with the trumpet call being a common and complex vocal sequence associated with visual displays. These calls are stable over time and may serve in individual recognition, aiding in maintaining social bonds.

Breeding

Breeding season spans from mid-May to mid-August. Crested auklets nest in rocky crevices along the North Pacific coast, with colonies reaching up to one million birds. Both sexes share incubation duties and chick rearing, reflecting a high level of biparental care.

Similar Species

The least auklet is a smaller congener that often breeds in mixed-species colonies with the crested auklet. However, the least auklet lacks the distinctive crest and citrus scent of the crested auklet.

Diet and Feeding

Crested auklets are planktivores, diving to capture krill, copepods, pteropods, amphipods, and larval fishes. They forage in deep waters, often in large flocks, and exhibit underwater "flight" while hunting.

Conservation status

The crested auklet is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN. The global population is estimated at over 6 million, with nearly half residing in North America. The Alaskan population faces additional threats from predation, oil spills, and other human-related risks.