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Auks

Auks, members of the family Alcidae, are a group of seabirds that includes murres, guillemots, puffins, and others, totaling 25 species across 11 genera. While they can fly, they are perhaps best known for their "flying" underwater, using their wings to swim in a way similar to penguins, with whom they are not closely related. Auks exhibit a black-and-white coloration and are adept at diving, commonly compared to penguins in their feeding behaviors. However, their ability to walk on land is rather awkward and clumsy. A notable distinction among these birds is their monomorphic nature, meaning males and females have similar appearances. Regarding size, they range from the small least auklet to the larger thick-billed murre. Distinct names for auks exist between Europe and North America; for example, "murres" in North America are known as "guillemots" in Europe, while Europe's "little auk" is North America's "dovekie." Auks are pelagic, spending much of their lives out at sea and coming ashore predominantly for breeding, with monogamous and often lifelong pair bonds. Some auks breed in large colonies on cliffs, while others prefer burrows or smaller group settings. Despite their modern limited geographical distribution, auks have a rich fossil record that suggests a greater past diversity and hints at their evolutionary journey from shorebirds to adept diving seabirds. Genetic studies indicate they are related to skuas and have adapted over time to cooler northern waters, their pursuit diving feeding methods proving less efficient in warmer temperatures. Losses of species in the Atlantic compared to the Pacific point to historical extinctions rather than present-day distributional restraints. The family's systematics includes several subfamilies and tribes, with various genera housing only a few species, reflective of their specialized ecological niches and restricted geographical range.

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Species Categories

AccentorsAfrican & New World ParrotsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian WarblersBarn OwlsBearded ReedlingBee-eatersBuntingsBushshrikesBushtitsBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCranesCrows, JaysCuckoosDippersDucks, Geese, SwansFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFlamingosFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGoldcrests, KingletsGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsIbises, SpoonbillsKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLongspurs, Snow BuntingsLoonsMockingbirds, ThrashersNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World WarblersNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsNuthatchesOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOwlsOystercatchersPelicansPenduline TitsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTropicbirdsTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWallcreeperWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWaxwingsWeavers, WidowbirdsWoodpeckersWrensYellow-breasted Chat

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Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
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Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
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Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
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It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
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Birda is my go to app for keeping records of my bird sightings and sessions. It has fantastic information which is great at aiding identification. With all the updates that are coming in the new year, this app is something special.
Dan R
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Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
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