Whiskered Auklet

Aethia pygmaea

Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.

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The Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) is a member of the Alcidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 112 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Alcidae Auks
Genus Aethia
Species pygmaea

Where it lives

North-central, northwestern North Pacific coasts: patchily from Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril and Commander is. (eastern Russia) and Aleutian Is.

Quick facts

Weight: 112 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Alcidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Whiskered Auklet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.

Migration

The Whiskered Auklet is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) belongs to the Alcidae family of the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers PAL, NA nc, nw North Pacific coasts: patchily from Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril and Commander is. (e Russia) and Aleutian Is.

It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 112 g, with a wing length of about 11.2 cm and a tail of around 3.1 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 128,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Whiskered Auklet?

The Whiskered Auklet is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 112 g.

Where does the Whiskered Auklet live?

The Whiskered Auklet is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering PAL, NA nc, nw North Pacific coasts: patchily from Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril and Commander is. (e Russia) and Aleutian Is, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Whiskered Auklet belong to?

The Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea) belongs to the Alcidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Whiskered Auklet eat?

The Whiskered Auklet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Whiskered Auklet migrate?

The Whiskered Auklet is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Whiskered Auklet endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Whiskered Auklet's range?

The Whiskered Auklet has a mapped global range of about 128,000 km².