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Deepseawaters
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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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