#birdoftheday

꧂ Parakeet Auklet

a. psittacula

✧ Scientific Classifications ✧

⟣ Order ;; Charadriiformes

⟣ Family ;; Alcidae

⟣ Genus ;; Aethia

⟣ Species ;; A. psittacula

✧ Conservation Status ✧

⟣ least concern ⟢

✧ Quick Intro ✧

⟣ Parakeet Auklets are a type of seabird, and were formerly in their own genus, Cyclorrhynchus, but were found to be more phylogenetically similar to other auklets in the genus Aethia. They hunt by diving into the ocean, up to 30 meters under the surface.

✧ Feeding ✧

⟣ Parakeet Auklets dive under the ocean surface to eat an array of small crustaceans, jellyfish, and small fish.

✧ Size & Features ✧

⟣ Parakeet Auklets are fairly short, reaching an average of 23 centimeters tall, and weight around 300 grams. They have black and white plumage with a long white stripe from the corner of their eye, fading down their neck. They have a bright orange, upturned beak.

✧ Inhabited Region ✧

⟣ Parakeet Auklets inhabit the northern pacific region, near Alaska and Siberia in boreal waters. They breed on offshore islands.

✧ My Rating ✧

⟣ 4.6/5 ;; Absolutely adorable and I'm a big fan of Auk's and other small seabirds to begin with!