Whiskered Auklet

Aethia pygmaea

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About the Whiskered Auklet

The whiskered auklet (Aethia pygmaea) is a small seabird of the auk family. It has a more restricted range than other members of its genus, Aethia, living only around the Aleutian Islands and on some islands off Siberia (like Commander Islands), and breeding on these islands. It is one of the smallest alcids, only the closely related least auklet being smaller. Its name is derived from the long white feathers on its face that are part of its breeding plumage. The whiskered auklet is a poorly studied species and much research needs to be undertaken on the species. It was originally described as two different species, from specimens collected at different ends of its range, however research has shown that it is a single species with clinal variation along its range.

Source: Wikipedia

Classification

Scientific name: Aethia pygmaea
Family: Auks, Murres, and Puffins
Order: Charadriiformes

Similar species

Other members of the auks, murres, and puffins family recorded in North America — a useful place to start if you are not certain of your identification.

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