Crested AukletPhotos, Pictures, Prints

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Aethia cristatella

The crested auklet (Aethia cristatella) is a small seabird that lives throughout the northern Pacific and the Bering Sea. Famous for its small size and precarious perches, this species feeds by diving in deep waters, and eating krill and a variety of small marine animals. It lives dense colonies. These may contain up to 1 million individuals. The largest colonies lie in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.

Both sexes of this species display striking sexual ornaments—in terms of sight, scent and sound! Visually, these birds display colorful plumage with a forehead crest. Then, their scent recalls citrus fruit. Finally, their loud trumpet call signals readiness for mating.

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