Least Auklet [Aethia pusilla]
Description
The Least Auklet is the smallest species of auk and seabird in general, with a length of 15-18 cm and a weight of approximately 85 grams. They have a short, thin bill and a small, rounded head. Their plumage is mostly dark above and pale below, with a small white plume behind the eye. They are found throughout the Bering Sea and the Aleutian Islands, where they breed in large colonies on rocky islands. They feed on a diet of plankton, diving from the surface to catch their prey. Their small size and large numbers make them a critical part of the Bering Sea ecosystem.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Birds
Aves
|
| Order |
Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers
Charadriiformes
|
| Family |
Auks, Murres, and Puffins
Alcidae
|
| Genus |
Least Auklets
Aethia
|