Dovekie Alle alle

Identification Tips:

• Length: 6.75 inches
• Sexes similar
• Immature like basic-plumaged adult
• Very small alcid that dives for food from water surface
• Short, dark bill
• White edges to scapulars
• Thin, white trailing edge to secondaries
• Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed

Adult alternate

• Blackish head, neck, back, wings, and tail
• White breast, belly, and undertail coverts

Adult basic

• White throat and upper breast
• Whitish crescent on side of neck
• Dark face

Similar species:

The very small size and short bill make this alcid easy to distinguish from other alcids inhabiting the Atlantic Ocean.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.