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Marbled Murrelet Identification

Marbled Murrelet Breeding
Breeding

Small, plump seabird with a short bill and tail and narrow wings. Breeding birds appear brown overall.

© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 18, 2012
Marbled Murrelet Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Nonbreeding birds are dark blackish gray above and white below with a white collar around the neck. When resting on the water, the tail is often held up and out of the water.

© Ryan Shaw | Macaulay LibraryWashington, September 17, 2017
Marbled Murrelet Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Often seen in small groups during the nonbreeding season. From a distance note white collar on a dark and white seabird.

© Ryan P. O'Donnell | Macaulay LibraryWashington, December 28, 2016
Marbled Murrelet Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Plump, short-tailed seabird with a short bill. Note white collar and black eye patch.

© Steven Mlodinow | Macaulay LibraryWashington, October 27, 2011
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Adult Description

Small plump waterbird. Short, pointed bill. Short, pointed tail. Breeding adult sooty brown on upperparts, mottled brown on underparts. Nonbreeding adult with blackish upperparts, white underparts. White extends up sides of head, almost all the way around the nape.

Immature Description

Similar to non-breeding adult, but underparts lightly speckled, not clean white.
Relative Size

Relative Sizebetween robin and crowbetween robin and crow
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 9.4-9.8 in (24-25 cm)
    • Weight: 9.1-12.6 oz (258-357 g)

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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