Latest Aethia Stories
A newly released study by researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks offers evidence that in one breed of northern seabird, the size of males' feather crests may be more than simple ornamentation.Their study, published this month in of the Journal of Comparative Physiology B, shows that crest size may be a physical indicator of a male crested auklet's quality as a mate.Scientists have long noted that female auklets prefer males with larger crests. But until recently, they did not know...
BANDON, Ore. (AP) - Hundreds of the seabirds known as rhinoceros auklets have washed up on the southern Oregon coast, and scientists haven't settled on an explanation for the die-off. The birds seem to be in good shape off California and Washington, a researcher said. "The questions in my mind are: Is this something that's widespread in Oregon? Is it a freak event like a storm, or something that's going to last longer?" said seabird researcher Dr. Julia Parrish, an associate...
FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) -- A bird species found in some parts of Western Alaska is believed to emit a natural mosquito repellent with properties similar to DEET, the key ingredient in many commercial repellents. Hector Douglas, a University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher, said he made the discovery in the feathers of the crested auklet after applying a little scientific intuition and sacrificing some of his own blood. "It's perhaps an example of how there are natural products in nature...
Latest Aethia Reference Libraries
The Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) is a seabird considered by some to be a close relative of the puffin. It is the only member of the genus Cerorhinca. It ranges widely across the North Pacific feeding on small fish and nesting in mixed seabird colonies. Its name is derived from a horn-like extension of the beak. This horn is only present in breeding adults, and like the elaborate sheath on the bill of puffins is shed every year. The Rhinoceros Auklet (also known as the Rhino...
The Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla) is a seabird and the smallest species of auk. It the most abundant seabird in North America, and one of the most abundant in the world, with a population of around nine million birds. They breed on the islands of Alaska and Siberia, and spend the winter close to the edge of the ice sheet. Their largest colonies are on the Aleutian Islands, St. Lawrence Island and Little Diomede Island. Least Auklets feed mainly on calanoid copepods, particularly those of...
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). It also breeds on these islands. It is one of the smallest auks, only the closely related Least Auklet being smaller. Its name is derived from the long white feathers on its face that are distinguishing feature of its breeding plumage. The...
The Crested Auklet is a small seabird of the family Alcidae which nests in huge colonies (greater than 1 million individuals) in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk. They often breed in mixed-species colonies with Least Auklets, their smaller relative. The Crested Auklet can be recognized by two characteristics during the breeding season. The first is its 'crest', a group of bristle feathers located above its eye on the top of its head. The second is an odor that the auklets produce during...
The Cassin's Auklet is a small, stocky seabird that ranges widely in the North Pacific. It nests in small burrows and because of its presence on well studied islands in British Columbia and off California it is one of the better known auks. It is named for John Cassin, a Pennsylvania businessman and naturalist. The Cassin's Auklet is a small (25 cm, 200 g) nondescript auk. Its plumage is generally dark on top and pale below, with a small white mark above the eye. Its bill is overall dark...
