Parakeet AukletAethia psittaculaWhere and when to see them

The parakeet auklet is a small North Pacific seabird named for its unusually deep, rounded bill. Breeding adults have dark upperparts, white underparts and a fine white plume extending behind the eye. It spends much of its life at sea, coming ashore principally to nest among coastal rocks. Compared with some other auklets, it often appears in smaller, more dispersed groups, making its presence less immediately obvious around mixed seabird colonies.

Size

23-25 cm long

Weight

250-350 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Pairs nest in cavities among boulders, scree or rocky crevices, where a single egg is laid without an elaborate nest. Adults commute between colonies and marine feeding areas, flying with rapid wingbeats. At sea they propel themselves with their wings while pursuing food. Colony visits can be inconspicuous, and birds sometimes sit upright on rocks near entrances. Their distinctive calls include soft, unusual sounds often described as whistling or squeaky. Courtship displays involve vocalizations and sometimes mutual preening, strengthening pair bonds before egg-laying. Their flight is rapid and direct, often close to the water surface when traveling between foraging grounds and breeding sites.

• Each breeding attempt normally involves a single egg.
• Its genus name Aethia is associated with seabirds in ancient Greek.
• The rounded bill gives the species its parakeet comparison.
• Soft-bodied gelatinous prey can form a substantial part of its food.

Late spring through summer offers the best chance of observing birds near Alaskan breeding colonies. June and July are particularly useful for colony attendance, although weather and access remain limiting. Outside this period, offshore dispersal greatly reduces predictable shore-based opportunities. Prime viewing opportunities often coincide with calmer sea conditions, making observations from smaller Zodiac boats more feasible near colony fringes. Early morning and late evening can be particularly active times for birds arriving at or departing from colonies.

Remote North Pacific islands and rocky coasts provide breeding sites, especially talus slopes and crevice-rich cliffs. Feeding occurs in adjacent marine waters and farther offshore. Outside the breeding season, birds disperse at sea and become much less accessible to shore observers. Despite their preference for rocky coasts, they have also been documented nesting in unusual locations like abandoned burrows of other seabirds or even under driftwood. Breeding colonies are typically found on islands or mainland cliffs inaccessible to terrestrial predators.

Gelatinous zooplankton, including jellyfish and related organisms, can be important, alongside crustaceans and small fish. Diet varies with location and season. The unusually shaped bill is associated with handling soft-bodied prey rather than the seed-cracking function its parakeet-like appearance might suggest. Their specialized bill design allows them to efficiently capture and manipulate delicate, soft-bodied prey like pteropods and ctenophores. This unique feeding strategy sets them apart from many other planktivorous auklets that primarily target crustaceans.

Common name

Parakeet Auklet

Scientific name

Aethia psittacula

Animal group

Birds

Size

23-25 cm long

Weight

250-350 g

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Its deep reddish bill, white belly and single narrow white eye plume distinguish it from the darker crested and least auklets. The deep, almost parrot-like, reddish-orange bill is a striking feature, especially noticeable in good light. Juveniles have a smaller, duller bill and lack the distinct eye plume, making them more challenging to identify without comparison.