The whiskered auklet is a small seabird of the auk family. It has a more restricted range than other members of its genus, Aethia, living only around the Aleutian Islands and on some islands off Siberia, and breeding on these islands. It is one of the smallest alcids, only the closely related least auklet being smaller. Its name is derived from the long white feathers on its face that are part of its breeding plumage.
Region
North Pacific (Aleutian, Commander, and Kuril Islands)
Typical Environment
Breeds on remote, rocky offshore islands with talus slopes, lava flows, and boulder fields, nesting deep within crevices and cavities. At sea it remains close to shorelines and passes of island chains, favoring tidal rips and current convergences that concentrate plankton. It usually stays within the Aleutian, Commander, and Kuril arcs year-round, dispersing only short distances after breeding. Forages by pursuit-diving from the surface and often forms small flocks along rugged coasts.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This tiny auk stays unusually close to shore compared to most alcids and often concentrates in tide rips where plankton is dense. Its long white facial 'whiskers' are breeding plumes thought to aid in mate choice and tactile navigation within dark nesting crevices. Whiskered auklets are strongly nocturnal at colonies and are notably attracted to artificial lights on vessels, which can cause mortality.
Temperament
social at sea and secretive around colonies
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats low over the water
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies, nesting in deep rock crevices and boulder piles. Pairs are monogamous, and both sexes incubate and feed the chick. Colony attendance is largely nocturnal to avoid predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives soft purring trills, squeaks, and chitters, most often at night near nesting sites. Vocalizations are subdued at sea but become more frequent during courtship and at colony entrances.
Plumage
Sooty-black to dark slate with subtle gray scaling; breeding adults show a short dark crest and striking long white filamentous facial plumes ('whiskers'). Nonbreeding plumage is duller with reduced plumes.
Diet
Feeds primarily on zooplankton, especially copepods and euphausiids, and also takes amphipods and other small crustaceans. Occasionally consumes small fish larvae. Captures prey by pursuit-diving and wing-propelled swimming, often making short shallow dives near current edges.
Preferred Environment
Forages close to shore in tidal rips, passes, and convergences where plankton accumulates. Often feeds around kelp lines and near rocky headlands rather than far offshore.
