A distinctive little seabird with a nearly circular bill. The Parakeet Auklet has the widest distribution of all the Alaskan auklets, but it doesn't form large flocks like the others, either at sea or in breeding colonies.
Parakeet Auklets frequently eat plastic pellets they find floating at sea. Although eating these pellets probably poses a risk, no harmful effects have yet been demonstrated.
Unusual bill structure is probably an adaptation for handling slimy gelatinous prey, like jellyfish, although it is unclear exactly how the bill is used.
On land, Parakeet Auklets walk mostly on their legs and not their toes.
Auks
