Rhinoceros auklet
Cerorhinca monocerata
Identification Tips:
- Sexes similar
- Immature similar to adult basic but lacks plumes and bill and eyes are
darker
- Medium to large alcid that dives for food from water surface
- Thick, pointed, yellow bill
- Gray plumage, darker on back
- Belly and undertail coverts mottled white and gray
- Yellow eye
- Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
Adult alternate
- Two white plumes on face: one behind the eye and the other behind the bill
- Hornlike projection at base of upper mandible
Adult basic
- White face plumes less distinctive
- Horn absent
Similar species:
Bill shape should render it easily identifiable in all plumages. In basic
plumage, the mostly dark plumage is shared by the smaller Cassin's Auklet,
whiter-bellied Parakeet Auklet, and larger-billed Tufted Puffin. In alternate
plumage, the head plumes and horn are diagnostic.