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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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