Fun Auklet Facts For Kids

There are six different types of auklets, namely, crested auklets (Aethia cristatella), parakeet auklets, (Aethia psittacula), least auklets, (Aethia pusilla), whiskered auklets (Aethia pygmae), Cassin's auklets (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), and rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata). All auklets have certain common physical characteristics but are seen in different parts of the world.  

Auklets are primarily carnivorous and feed on small fishes and floating animals in the water body called zooplanktons. Auklets are popularly called sea sparrows. They prefer living in the sunshine depending on the time of the year. They belong to the Alcidae family order Charadriiformes. These birds are hard to spot owing to their choice of habitat, although they live in colonies. Auklets are seen along coastlines in the northern Pacific Ocean, Baja California, North Korea, and Russia. These birds nest near the sea. They have brightly colored beaks. The IUCN has given this species of bird a conservation status of Least Concern, meaning their populations of this seabird is table.

For more relatable content, check out these fact pages about rhinoceros auklet and Indian runner duck.

What type of animal is an auklet?

They belong to the order Charadriiformes family Alcidae and kingdom Animalia.

What class of animal does an auklet belong to?

The auklet is a type of bird that belongs to class Aves, family Alcidae, and genus Aethia. They primarily stay along coastlines and feed on food when swimming in water bodies. They are seldom awake at night.

How many auklets are there in the world?

Auklets are classified as a Least Concern species of birds. The Cassin's auklet population range is estimated at 3,600,000 breeding birds and equates to 5,400,000 individuals.

Where does an auklet live?

The auklet range consists of coastlines and islands, and they search for food underwater. They are primarily seen in the northern Pacific Ocean, Baja California, North Korea, North America, and Russia. They are more active during the daytime and not as much in the night. Rhinoceros auklets are migratory birds and migrate during winter.  

What is an auklet's habitat?

The auklet's habitat range constitutes islands, coastlines, and regions near the sea. During the breeding season, they build nests in crevices and usually lay a single egg. Nesting may occur multiple times throughout their lifetime. Parents take care of the young together. Rhinoceros auklets are migratory and travel to escape the winter to find appropriate food and shelter.

Who do auklets live with?

They are seen mostly as solitary birds near the sea. They come together in flocks during the breeding season and live in colonies.

How long does an auklet live?

Their average lifespan is five years. The maximum lifespan recorded in Cassin's auklets is 16 years and two months recorded in California in 1993. Cassin's auklet are most commonly found. The maximum age for a rhinoceros auklet has been recorded at 28 years.  

How do they reproduce?

An auklet's first brood lay eggs at three years of age. Breeding occurs multiple times throughout their life. They have various courtship rituals, including honking sounds, preening, and intertwining necks. They lay nests in crevices and among boulders that may be several feet below the ground. Nesting in such a manner is seldom seen among other birds. Nesting is done in burrows primarily to keep them away from predators. They lay one white egg. Both parents feed their young and bring back food into their throat pouch. Parents are equally involved in raising the young.

What is their conservation status?

Auklets are classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Oil spills and habitat loss are major threats.

What do auklets look like?

Auklets are small to medium-sized birds. Females and males are similar to each other in appearance. They have an overall dark plumage with light underparts. Males are more attractive in appearance compared to females. This is primarily due to sexual dimorphism. Males are also larger in size as compared to females. They have light-colored eyes and dark-colored feet. Their bill is brightly colored. Their bill is bright orange, and their bill stands out distinctively. They utilize their bill while feeding on fish. Cassin's auklets are the smallest of all other kinds of auklets in the family. Juveniles are born without feathers.

How cute are they?

These birds are exotic and a cute species of birds. They have unique features and look distinct from other bird species. They are seldom seen in the open and are seen feeding underwater and can be spotted near islands. Auklets can be called auks. Nesting birds are rarely seen out in the open.

How do they communicate?

All auks make use of multiple types of communication, including visual, chemical, and tactile modes of communication. Males and females birds communicate with one another during breeding and in courtship rituals. They forage for food such as fish and are seen feeding in groups.

How big is an auklet?

Auklets are 7.1-7.9 in (18-20 cm) in length, which is bigger than a hummingbird which is 3-9.1 in (7.6-23.1 cm).

How fast can an auklet fly?

The exact fly speed of auklets is variable and is species-specific. The rhinoceros auklet's flight speed is 50 mph (80.5 kph). They are efficient swimmers and swim underwater.

How much does an auklet weigh?

Auklets weigh 7.4-11.3 oz (210- 320 g). Their weight varies depending on the type of auklets. Ostriches are the heaviest birds in the world.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Males and females of this species are not addressed differently. They are mostly seen along the Pacific coast and differ in size and reproductive functions.

What would you call a baby auklet?

Parents are seen nesting multiple times, and they lay a single egg. Baby auklet birds are a seabird species that stay with their mother.

What do they eat?

They are seen foraging in flocks along islands. They are seldom active at night and forage for food during the daytime. Auklets eat carnivorous food and they feed near the sea. They eat small fishes and small floating animals. Cassin's auklet birds eat the same food as their young. They prefer eating sardines compared to other marine species. Crested auklets are planktivores, and they feed on krill and larval fish.

Are they dangerous?

No, this species is not dangerous. They can be spotted living in colonies by the sea and islands. They build nests in crevices and are seldom seen out in the open. A group of 'auks' is called a colony, raft, or a loomery.

Would they make a good pet?

No, these are innately wild birds and live in colonies. Some species of this bird migrates in winter, and they thrive best in their natural habitat.

Did you know...

The crested auklet rubs a citrus-like scent during courtship. This phenomenon is unique about these birds and not seen in other species of birds.

They store planktons in their tongue to feed the juveniles. They seldom carry back fish to feed the young.

Whiskered auklets are one of the most difficult North American birds to find.

What are the different types of auklet?

Auklets mean a small, stubby seabird. There are six different types of auklets, including the crested auklet (Aethia cristatella), parakeet auklets (Aethia psittacula), least auklets, (Aethia pusilla), and whiskered auklets, (Aethia pygmae), Cassin's auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus), and rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata). These species are endemic to different species. Rhinoceros auklets are closely related to the puffin. Whiskered auklet facts mention that they are closely related to the least auklet, however they are smaller. Their name is developed from the long white feathers on their faces. Rhinoceros auklet facts are closely related to puffins.

Do auklets fly?

Auklets fly in flocks, although they might not seem to be birds that fly. Birds like the rhinoceros auklet are fast in flight. They are capable of flying long distances. They can be seen flying underwater with strong wing beats. They use their speed to forage for food underwater.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these pigeon guillemot facts and muscovy duck facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable seagulls coloring pages.