The ancient murrelet is a bird in the auk family. The English term "murrelet" is a diminutive of "murre", a word of uncertain origins, but which may imitate the call of the common guillemot. Ancient murrelets are called "ancient" because they have grey on the back like a shawl, as worn by the elderly.
Region
North Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on predator-free islands from the Russian Far East and Japan to the Aleutians, Gulf of Alaska, and British Columbia. Outside the breeding season it disperses widely across offshore waters, wintering south along the Pacific Coast to California and across the western Pacific to China and Korea. Colonies are typically in forested or grass-covered islands where birds nest in burrows or crevices. At sea it frequents continental shelf waters, tidal fronts, and upwelling zones.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 50 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small auk of the North Pacific, the ancient murrelet gets its name from the gray “shawl” across its back that recalls elderly attire. It returns to nesting colonies only at night to avoid predators. Remarkably, chicks leave the burrow just 1–3 days after hatching and follow their parents to sea, where they are reared entirely on the ocean.
Adult and chick, Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over water
Social Behavior
Nests colonially in burrows or rock crevices, often under forest or thick vegetation. Adults visit colonies at night and are highly vocal in darkness. Chicks depart the nest within days of hatching and follow their calling parents to the sea, where family groups remain together for several weeks.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives soft, rolling coos, trills, and chatter, often in duets between mates. At sea it is mostly quiet, with occasional low grunts or chirrs.
