Similar Species
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Breeding
Breeding Kittlitz's Murrelets have shorter bills, pale undertail coverts, and are lighter brown overall than Marbled Murrelets.
© Tom Johnson | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 11, 2017Similar Species
Kittlitz's Murrelet
Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding Kittlitz's Murrelets have white extending all the way around the face; Marbled Murrelets have dark caps that cover the eyes.
© Tom Johnson | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 11, 2017Similar Species
Long-billed Murrelet
Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding Long-billed Murrelets have dark sides of the neck, while nonbreeding Marbled Murrelets have a pale collar wrapping almost all the way around the neck.
© Cheng Qian | Macaulay LibraryShandong, January 16, 2016Similar Species
Long-billed Murrelet
Breeding
Breeding Long-billed Murrelets have a pale throat, unlike the dark throat of breeding Marbled Murrelets.
© Kerry Ross | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 07, 2008Main Species
Marbled Murrelet
Breeding
Small, plump seabird with a short bill and tail and narrow wings. Breeding birds appear brown overall.
© Brian Sullivan | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, May 18, 2012Nonbreeding
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, 2017Nonbreeding
Often seen in small groups during the nonbreeding season. From a distance note white collar on a dark and white seabird.
© Ryan O'Donnell | Macaulay LibraryWashington, December 28, 2016Nonbreeding
Plump, short-tailed seabird with a short bill. Note white collar and black eye patch.
© Steven Mlodinow | Macaulay LibraryWashington, October 27, 2011