Parakeet auklet Aethia psittacula

Identification Tips:

• Sexes similar
• Small alcid that dives for food from water surface
• Thick, short, upturned, bright red bill
• Yellow eye
• Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
• United States range mostly confined to Alaska, stray elsewhere

Adult alternate

• White plume behind eye
• Blackish head, neck, and upperparts
• White belly, and undertail coverts

Adult basic

• Blackish head, nape, and upperparts
• White throat, breast, belly, and undertail coverts
• Bill darker

Similar species:

The Parakeet Auklet's bright red bill distinguishes it from all alcids except Crested and Whiskered Auklets. These species have dark bellies, crests, and different bill shapes. In winter, the short, thick bill (sometimes bright red) is a useful field mark. Crested, Whiskered, and Rhinoceros Auklets have somewhat similar bill shapes but all have dark, not white, throats and breasts.