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    Ancient Murrelet Identification

    Ancient Murrelet Nonbreeding
    Nonbreeding

    Small and slightly more slender than similar species with a pale bill. Nonbreeding birds have a grayish throat, white breast, and a bit of white on the side of the neck.

    © Ryan Shaw | Macaulay LibraryWashington, August 12, 2016
    Ancient Murrelet Breeding adult
    Breeding adult

    Small and slightly more slender seabird. Breeding birds have white, fluffy-looking eyebrows.

    © Richard MacIntosh | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, April 17, 2017
    Ancient Murrelet Breeding adults
    Breeding adults

    © Timothy Barksdale | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 01, 2002
    Ancient Murrelet Breeding adult
    Breeding adult

    Slender seabird that flies on stiff, narrow wings. Underwings are bright white.

    © Ian Davies | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, July 14, 2012
    Ancient Murrelet Nonbreeding
    Nonbreeding

    Nonbreeding birds have a grayish throat, white breast, and a bit of white on the side of the neck.

    © Masami Yoshimura | Macaulay LibraryHyogo, July 30, 2016
    Ancient Murrelet

    © Brian L Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 29, 2012
    Ancient Murrelet Juvenile
    Juvenile

    Juveniles have a gray back with gray-and-white scalloping on its sides. Note pale bill.

    © Kim Beardmore | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, August 24, 2016
    Ancient Murrelet Breeding adult
    Breeding adult

    Flies with stiff wingbeats, banking side to side. Note white underwings.

    © David M. Bell | Macaulay LibraryBritish Columbia, December 17, 2016
    Ancient Murrelet Breeding adult
    Breeding adult

    Small seabird. Pale bill and white sides of neck help separate it from similar species.

    © Enric Fernandez | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 20, 2017
    See more images of this species in Macaulay Library

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    Adult Description

    Small plump waterbird. Black face and crown. Gray upperparts. White sides of neck, throat, and underparts. Short, pale yellow bill.

    Immature Description

    Resembles nonbreeding adult, with little or no white feathers around crown, and a darker bill.
    Relative Size

    Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow
    Measurements
    • Both Sexes
      • Length: 7.9-9.4 in (20-24 cm)
      • Weight: 5.4-8.8 oz (153-250 g)
      • Wingspan: 17.7-18.1 in (45-46 cm)

    Species in This Family

    Auks, Murres, and Puffins(Order: Charadriiformes, Family: Alcidae)

    DovekieDovekie
    Common MurreCommon Murre
    Thick-billed MurreThick-billed Murre
    RazorbillRazorbill
    Black GuillemotBlack Guillemot
    Pigeon GuillemotPigeon Guillemot
    Marbled MurreletMarbled Murrelet
    Ancient MurreletAncient Murrelet
    Cassin's AukletCassin's Auklet
    Parakeet AukletParakeet Auklet
    Rhinoceros AukletRhinoceros Auklet
    Atlantic PuffinAtlantic Puffin
    Horned PuffinHorned Puffin
    Tufted PuffinTufted Puffin

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