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Overview
Japanese murrelet

Japanese murrelet

Wikipedia

The Japanese murrelet or crested murrelet is a small seabird in the auk family that occurs along the remote rocky coasts and in the offshore waters of Japan, and may also be found after the breeding season as far as Sakhalin to the north and in particular off South Korea. With a small and declining population, estimated as of 2017 to total 2,500–10,000 individuals, it is the rarest alcid, and the most at risk of extinction.

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Distribution

Region

Northwest Pacific

Typical Environment

Breeds on small rocky islets off southern and central Japan, then disperses across nearby offshore waters. After breeding it is regularly recorded in the Sea of Japan and Korea Strait and occasionally as far north as southern Sakhalin. It favors nearshore to shelf-edge waters with tidal mixing or upwelling, where small schooling fish and krill are abundant. Nests are tucked under dense vegetation, rock crevices, or talus on undisturbed islands.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 100 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size24–27 cm
Wing Span38–42 cm
Male Weight0.22 kg
Female Weight0.2 kg
Life Expectancy10 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This small auk breeds on a handful of predator-free islets off Japan and visits colonies mostly at night to avoid predation. Chicks leave the nest within one or two nights of hatching and are led to sea by the parents. Main threats include bycatch in gillnets, invasive predators on breeding islands, human disturbance, and coastal development.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
Bird photo
Plate by Prêtre accompanying Temminck's description of the Japanese murrelet[5]

Plate by Prêtre accompanying Temminck's description of the Japanese murrelet[5]

The Ōnohara Islands, the most important nesting site until their use as a USAF bombing range during the Korean War[3]

The Ōnohara Islands, the most important nesting site until their use as a USAF bombing range during the Korean War[3]

Behaviour

Temperament

social and active at sea; secretive near colonies

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low over the water

Social Behavior

Usually feeds in small groups and forms loose flocks around food patches. Breeds in small colonies, nesting in crevices or under vegetation, and attends colonies mostly at night. Pairs are monogamous for the season; chicks depart to sea within days and are tended by adults on the water.

Migratory Pattern

Partial migrant

Song Description

Mostly quiet at sea, but at colonies gives soft whistles, trills, and chirring notes during nocturnal activity. Calls are high-pitched and carry over surf noise without being loud.

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