Auks · Shorebirds
Little Auk
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Alle alle
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How to recognize it
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20 cm, about half the size of an Atlantic puffin
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Black head, back and wings; white underparts
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Short stubby bill, small rounded tail
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Fast direct flight with rapid wingbeats
About the species
The Little Auk is a very small seabird, easy to remember for its black-and-white look and tiny tail. In winter, the face gets paler below as well, which softens the overall impression.
It flies in a steady line with quick wingbeats. It feeds in the water, diving for prey, and before feeding it gathers in huge flocks. At breeding colonies it gives a range of twitters and cackles, but at sea it is usually quiet.
It nests on rocky coastal slopes in large colonies. Its main food is crustaceans, though it also takes small fish. In winter it moves south into the northern North Atlantic, and late autumn storms can push it even farther south, sometimes as far as the North Sea.
Where to find
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Along winter waterfronts, especially after storms — Little Auk may show up low over the waves or resting on a bit of ice close to shore.
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Near stone piers, breakwaters, and old bridges — cliff-like edges can draw it in, and you may notice fast wingbeats skimming just above the water.
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At river mouths and canal entrances with open water beside thin ice, it dives repeatedly right near the surface while feeding.
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After a strong northerly wind, check the rocks and harbor structures at the edge of the walk — exhausted individuals sometimes sit there quietly.
You might also see
Sources
- eBird — Alle alle Sightings map and full description on eBird
- Wikipedia — Little auk Encyclopedia article