Little Auk: where and when to see them

The little auk is a compact Arctic seabird that converts abundant marine plankton into food for vast breeding colonies. Known as the dovekie in North America, it has a short bill, rapid wingbeats and striking black-and-white breeding plumage. Colonies occupy rocky slopes close to productive cold waters. Although still numerous globally, the species is sensitive to changes in the plankton communities and sea conditions on which its feeding depends.

Size

19-23 cm long

Weight

140-200 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Breeding birds gather in noisy groups on boulder slopes and circle colonies in fast-moving flocks. A pair raises one chick in a sheltered rock crevice, with both adults bringing concentrated loads of tiny prey. At sea, little auks use their wings to propel themselves while feeding. Once the chick is ready to leave the colony, the male typically accompanies it toward the sea and continues parental care. The elaborate aerial displays over colonies, involving thousands of birds flying in synchronized patterns, are a remarkable spectacle. Their calls are a distinctive, high-pitched chirping or trilling, contributing to the characteristic din of an Arctic seabird colony. During incubation, adults take turns, with changeovers often occurring with much fanfare and vocalization.

• The North American name for the species is dovekie.
• Each pair normally raises only one chick per breeding attempt.
• A throat pouch carries many small prey items back to the nest.
• Nutrient-rich droppings fertilize tundra vegetation below large colonies.

June to August offers the main Arctic colony-viewing window, with timing dependent on latitude and snow conditions. In Norway, this chiefly means Svalbard rather than mainland coasts. Visits require local access checks because breeding slopes can be fragile, steep or restricted. In more southerly Arctic regions, such as parts of Norway excluding Svalbard, the breeding season can begin earlier, in May. Viewing from ship decks often requires patience and good optics, as the birds at sea can be dispersed and distant. Due to their small size and rapid flight, spotting them from a moving vessel can be challenging, though large feeding flocks are more conspicuous.

High-Arctic rocky islands and coastal mountain slopes provide breeding habitat, particularly where deep crevices protect nests. Feeding takes place in cold marine waters rich in zooplankton. Outside breeding, birds disperse offshore across northern seas and are less accessible from land. Little auks breed in vast numbers, forming some of the densest seabird colonies in the world, often numbering in the millions. These colonies are typically found on north-facing slopes, which retain snow longer, helping to regulate colony temperatures. Their reliance on specific island habitats makes them vulnerable to habitat degradation and disturbance.

Large, energy-rich copepods are especially important during breeding, with other crustaceans and small marine animals also eaten. Adults transport numerous tiny prey items to the chick in a specialized throat pouch, making productive plankton patches essential to efficient provisioning. Their feeding distribution closely tracks the availability of these specific copepod species, which thrive in cold, ice-associated waters. Climate change impacts on Arctic ice extent and ocean circulation could therefore significantly alter their food web and foraging success. Unlike some other auks, they primarily forage close to the surface, performing shallow dives to capture their prey.

Common name

Little Auk

Scientific name

Alle alle

Animal group

Birds

Size

19-23 cm long

Weight

140-200 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Its tiny, chunky body, very short bill and black throat in breeding plumage distinguish it from larger guillemots and razorbills. Beyond the black throat, non-breeding birds exhibit a white throat and cheeks, which can sometimes be seen in late summer or early spring. At sea, their rapid, whirring flight and tendency to fly in dense, often low-flying flocks can aid identification. The extremely short, conical bill is a key feature distinguishing them from other small Arctic alcids.