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Deepseawaters
Home Deep
Sea BirdsKittlitz's Murrelet
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Common Name: Kittlitz's Murrelet
Scientific Name: Brachyramphus brevirostris
Description
This
uncommon little seabird is the least well
known of the auk family, and probably the least well known
of any bird in America. Kittlitz's occur from southeast Alaska
to Siberia, but are common only in a few isolated areas, and
the total population may number as few as 20,000 individuals.
Scientists
have only observed a few Kittlitz's nests, and when you consider
their location, it's easy to see why that is. Kittlitz's nest
in solitary spots high in mountainous terrain, as far as 75
km from the sea! Nests often occur in recently de-glaciated
terrain, and the highest concentrations of these birds have
been reported in Alaska, in areas with mountainous coasts
and many glaciers.
Identification Tips
Length:
7.5 inches
Sexes
similar
Immature
like basic-plumaged adult but has mottled underparts
Pelagic
bird only coming ashore to breed
Small
alcid that dives for food from water surface
Thin,
short, dark bill
United
States range largely confined to coastal Alaska
Adult Alternate
Extensively
mottled with brown and white
White
belly
White
outer tail feathers
Adult Basic
Dark
cap does not include the eye
White
throat, nape, and underparts
Dark
back, wings, and tail
Indistinct
breastband
White
scapulars
Similar Species
In
breeding plumage, the brown and white plumage of the Kittlitz's
Murrelet is similar only to the Marbled Murrelet
but the Kittlitz's has a white belly and white outer tail
feathers. In winter, the white scapulars dividing the dark
back and wings are only shared by the Marbled Murrelet. However,
it has a dark cap that extends below the eye and a less complete
breast band. The white outer tail feathers of Kittlitz's
Murrelet are diagnostic in all plumages. Juvenile
Kittlitz's Murrelets might be confused with
juvenile Pigeon Guillemots but have shorter necks, bills,
and no white in the wing.
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