Photo: Alastair Rae from London, United Kingdom / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Shorebirds

Japanese Murrelet

Synthliboramphus wumizusume

Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.

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The Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) is a member of the Alcidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 198 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Alcidae Auks
Genus Synthliboramphus
Species wumizusume

Where it lives

Western North Pacific coasts: islands off western Honshu, Kyushu and Izu Is. (central, southern Japan), south of Korean Pen. and ?far southeastern Russia

Europe & Northern Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 198 g
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Alcidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Endangered

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) is a member of the Alcidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL w North Pacific coasts: islands off w Honshu, Kyushu and Izu Is. (c, s Japan), s of Korean Pen. and ?far se Russia.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 198 g, with a wing length of about 12 cm and a tail of around 5 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 571,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Japanese Murrelet?

The Japanese Murrelet is a large bird that weighs around 198 g.

Where does the Japanese Murrelet live?

The Japanese Murrelet is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL w North Pacific coasts: islands off w Honshu, Kyushu and Izu Is. (c, s Japan), s of Korean Pen. and ?far se Russia, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Japanese Murrelet belong to?

The Japanese Murrelet (Synthliboramphus wumizusume) belongs to the Alcidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Japanese Murrelet eat?

The Japanese Murrelet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Japanese Murrelet migrate?

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

Is the Japanese Murrelet endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

How large is the Japanese Murrelet's range?

The Japanese Murrelet has a mapped global range of about 571,000 km².