Ancient Murrelet

Synthliboramphus antiquus

The Ancient Murrelet is a small seabird that breeds in the North Pacific, from the Aleutian Islands to Japan. It has a unique nesting behavior, often choosing to nest in burrows on islands or along coastal cliffs. This species is known for its nocturnal foraging habits, diving for small fish and invertebrates under the cover of darkness. The Ancient Murrelet has a striking appearance, with a black and white plumage and a distinctive facial pattern. During the breeding season, it can be found in large colonies, but it disperses widely across the open ocean during the non-breeding season.

Habitat: Coastal cliffs and islands