Crested Auklet - Aethia cristatella

Characteristics
Range
Habitat
Diet
Life Cycle
Behavior

 Classification

 Phylum: Chordata
 Class: Aves
 Order: Charadriiformes
 Family: Alcidae
 Genus:  Aethia 


Crested Auklet
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  Characteristics
Crested AukletThe crested auklet is a stocky seabird that is about nine inches tall. It has dark brown to black feathers. In breeding season it has a white plume beside its eyes and a crest of feathers that curls forward on the top of its head. It has a bright orange bill, a very short tail and webbed black  feet. Males and females look the same.

  Range
The crested auklet lives and breeds on islands and beaches off the coast of Alaska. It winters in the open ocean.

  Habitat
The crested auklet nests on island coasts with lots of rocks and boulders.

  Diet
The crested auklet eats plankton.
  Life Cycle
crested aukletThe crested auklet nests in large colonies. The female crested auklet usually lays just one egg in the boulders and crevices in cliffs. The egg hatches in a little over a month. The auklet stores plankton in a pouch under its tongue to feed to the chick. The chick will fledge in a little over a month.

  Behavior
The crested auklet is built for life in the water. Its feet are set back on its body, making the crested auklet awkward on land. It is a good swimmer and dives for food from the water's surface.


Image Credits: Clipart.com unless otherwise noted



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Crested Auklet - Aethia cristatella - NatureWorks
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