Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Least Auklet
Aethia pusilla
Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Europe & Northern Asia.
Found across 13 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla) is a member of the Alcidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Adults weigh 84 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Alcidae Auks
- Genus Aethia
- Species pusilla
Where it lives
Northwest to northeastern North Pacific coasts: patchily from eastern Chukotka, northeastern Kamchatka, Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril and Commander is. (eastern Russia); Bering Sea is. and Aleutian Is.
Quick facts
- Weight
- 84 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Alcidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Least 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 Least Auklet is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla) is a species of bird in the Alcidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Europe & Northern Asia and North America. Its distribution covers PAL, NA nw to ne North Pacific coasts: patchily from e Chukotka, ne Kamchatka, Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril and Commander is. (e Russia); Bering Sea is. and Aleutian Is.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 84 g, with a wing length of about 9.4 cm and a tail of around 2.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 65,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Least Auklet?
The Least Auklet is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 84 g.
Where does the Least Auklet live?
The Least Auklet is found across Europe & Northern Asia and North America with a range covering PAL, NA nw to ne North Pacific coasts: patchily from e Chukotka, ne Kamchatka, Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril and Commander is. (e Russia); Bering Sea is. and Aleutian Is, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Least Auklet belong to?
The Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla) belongs to the Alcidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Least Auklet eat?
The Least Auklet hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Least Auklet migrate?
The Least Auklet is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Least 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.
What sound does the Least Auklet make?
1 real field recording of the Least Auklet — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Least Auklet's range?
The Least Auklet has a mapped global range of about 65,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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