Crested auklet
Aethia cristatella
The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella) is a small seabird of the family Alcidae, distributed throughout the northern Pacific and the Bering Sea.
About the Crested auklet
The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella) is a small seabird of the family Alcidae, distributed throughout the northern Pacific and the Bering Sea. The species feeds by diving in deep waters, eating krill and a variety of small marine animals. It nests in dense colonies of up to 1 million individuals in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. It often breeds in mixed-species colonies with the least auklet, a smaller congener. The species is known for its sexual ornaments, found in both males and females. These include colorful plumage with a forehead crest, a striking scent recalling citrus fruit, and a loud trumpet call, all of which appear to have evolved through sexual selection. The total population is around 6 million, almost half in North America. It is in general considered to be of
Fun Facts About Crested auklet
- It nests in dense colonies of up to 1 million individuals in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.
- The total population is around 6 million, almost half in North America.
- These include colorful plumage with a forehead crest, a striking scent recalling citrus fruit, and a loud trumpet call, all of which appear to have evolved through sexual selection.
- The species is known for its sexual ornaments, found in both males and females.
- It often breeds in mixed-species colonies with the least auklet, a smaller congener.
Conservation Status
The Crested auklet is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Alcidae |
| Genus | Aethia |
| Species | Aethia cristatella |
Range & Habitat
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