The whiskered auklet (Aethia pygmaea) is a small seabird of the auk family. It has a more restricted range than other members of its genus, Aethia, living only around the Aleutian Islands and on some islands off Siberia (like Commander Islands), and breeding on these islands. It is one of the smallest alcids, only the closely related least auklet being smaller. Its name is derived from the long white feathers on its face that are part of its breeding plumage.
The whiskered auklet is a poorly studied species and much research needs to be undertaken on the species. It was originally described as two different species, from specimens collected at different ends of its range, however research has shown that it is a single species with clinal variation along its range. It is not thought to undertake migration, but instead attends its breeding islands year round, and has been shown to roost on land all year round, an unusual trait in the family.[2] Whiskered auklets lay a single egg in a rocky crevice, in loose colonies with other whiskered auklets and also other colonial seabirds. Both parents take part in incubation and chick rearing. The whiskers have been shown to help them sense their way to and out of their nests at night.[3]
Whiskered auklets feed in the inshore zone, usually within 16 km of land, where tidal currents concentrate their prey into dense swarms. They feed predominantly on copepods during the summer months, mostly on the species Neocalanus plumchrus; and switching to euphausiid krill in the fall and winter.
^BirdLife International (2020). "Aethia pygmaea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T22694918A168850776. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22694918A168850776.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^Schacter, Carley R.; Jones, Ian L. (July 2018). "Confirmed year-round residence and land roosting of Whiskered Auklets (Aethia pygmaea) at Buldir Island, Alaska". The Auk. 135 (3): 706–715. doi:10.1642/AUK-17-235.1. S2CID 53308405.
^Seneviratne, Sampath S. & Ian L. Jones (2008) Mechanosensory function for facial ornamentation in the whiskered auklet, a crevice-dwelling seabird. Behavioral Ecology Advance Access. DOI 10.1093/beheco/arn029
The whiskeredauklet (Aethia pygmaea) is a small seabird of the auk family. It has a more restricted range than other members of its genus, Aethia, living...
The rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) is a seabird and a close relative of the puffins. It is the only extant species of the genus Cerorhinca....
base of the beak which are sometimes referred to as whiskers. The whiskeredauklet (Aethia pygmaea) has striking, stiff white feathers protruding from...
species could be closer to the Crested Auklet, Least Auklet and WhiskeredAuklet.[citation needed] The parakeet auklet's food varies with season, during the...
four auklet species. There are no recognised subspecies of the crested auklet. Within the genus. it is most closely related to the whiskeredauklet (A....
33% in least and crested auklets when both mates survive. The Winter distribution of auklets is poorly known. Whiskeredauklets likely winter near to breeding...
rock face of cliffs), tufted puffins and various auklets such as Cassin's auklet and the whiskeredauklet. "PBS - Harriman: Souvenir Album - Chiswell Islands...
includes the guillemots, typical auks, murrelets, auklets, puffins, and the razorbill. The rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) and the puffins are closely...
Carter (2003). "Variation in plumage, molt, and morphology of the WhiskeredAuklet (Aethia pygmaea) in Alaska". Journal of Field Ornithology. 74 (1):...
introduction decimated the birds of the chain, particularly seabirds like the whiskeredauklet. The reduction in seabirds, in turn, had effects on the ecology of...
a few metres above sea level. Large numbers of birds, notably the whiskeredauklet, nest on the islands, making them a frequent stop for nature tours...
30, 2021. Williams, J. C.; Byrd G. V.; Konyukhov, N. B. (2003). "WhiskeredAuklets Aethia pygmaea, foxes, humans and how to right a wrong" (PDF). Marine...
Storm-petrel. There are also large numbers of the Ancient Murrelet and the WhiskeredAuklet that nest on Koniuji. These four species breed on Koniuji Island in...
the largest colonies of crested and whiskeredauklet in the Kuril Islands are found on the island; least auklet also nest here. Ushishir had no permanent...
Crested auklet Parakeet auklet Least aukletWhiskeredauklet Little auk Spectacled guillemot Pigeon guillemot Black guillemot Rhinoceros auklet Tufted...
Other species included seabirds such as the Fork-tailed petrel, the whiskeredauklet, the ancient murrelet, gulls, guillemots, and cormorants. These seabirds...
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