The ancient murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) is a small seabird in the family Alcidae. Some key facts about the ancient murrelet:
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Synthliboramphus antiquus
- Other Common Names: Ancient auklet, crested auklet
- Size: 7.5-9 inches long with a 16-18 inch wingspan
- Weight: 5-8 ounces
- Lifespan: Up to 15 years
- Conservation Status: Least Concern
The ancient murrelet is a chunky, rotund seabird with a short neck, small head, and stubby bill. Its compact body has drab grayish-brown upperparts and white underparts. During the breeding season, adults develop a distinctive white facial ruff, white plumes behind the eyes, and white streaks along the crown. This ornamentation led to one of the ancient murrelet’s other common names – the crested auklet. Its scientific name Synthliboramphus antiquus comes from Greek roots meaning “ancient crested nose-runner.” Outside of the breeding season, its coloration is more subdued without ornamentation. Ancient murrelets have short wings adapted for flying underwater. Their legs are set far back on their bodies, providing an advantage for swimming but making them awkward on land. These seabirds spend most of their lives floating on the ocean’s surface.
Range and Habitat
The ancient murrelet has a circumpolar distribution across northern latitudes. In North America, it breeds along the Pacific coast from Alaska to California. Its breeding habitat consists of islands, islets, and rocky coastlines. Outside of breeding season, ancient murrelets can be found farther offshore and south to Baja California and Japan. Their at-sea habitat preferences include nearshore waters, bays, fjords, channels, and passes.
Breeding and Nesting
Ancient murrelets return to breeding colonies from February to April. They nest in small colonies, digging burrows or using rock crevices for nest sites. Pairs exhibit long-term pair bonding and may use the same site across different years. Only producing one egg per clutch, both parents take turns incubating the egg for around 30 days. Chicks are semi-precocial, able to fly to sea within 2-3 days of hatching. Parents continue caring for the chicks at sea, where the young finish developing and fledge at around 40 days old.
Diet
Ancient murrelets forage by diving from the surface and pursuing prey underwater. They mainly eat small fish, marine invertebrates like krill, and zooplankton. Common prey includes Pacific sand lance, northern anchovy, Pacific herring, capelin, and euphausiids (krill). Their diving ability allows them to exploit food resources deeper in the water column than many other alcids. Parents bring back individual prey items in their bills to feed newly hatched chicks.
Population and Conservation
Global population estimates for the ancient murrelet range from 170,000 to over 300,000 mature individuals. In North America, breeding populations are estimated at:
- Alaska: 100,000-200,000
- British Columbia: 20,000-80,000
- Washington: 1,000-2,000
- Oregon: 500-1,000
- California: 500-1,000
Populations underwent declines in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to hunting, egg harvesting, and predation from introduced species. They have rebounded somewhat but still face ongoing threats:
Threats | Details |
---|---|
Oil spills | Oil spills can kill birds and contaminate prey sources |
Fisheries bycatch | Accidental catching in fishing gear can lead to drowning |
Habitat degradation | Disturbance of nesting islands and pollution of marine areas |
Climate change | Changing ocean conditions may affect food supplies |
However, their large range and population size have allowed ancient murrelets to be classified as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Ongoing monitoring and protection of breeding sites and marine habitats are important conservation measures.
Behavior and Ecology
Ancient murrelets exhibit adaptations for a highly pelagic lifestyle. Their compact shape, small wings, and rear-placed feet provide excellent hydrodynamics and swimming ability. While awkward on land, they can propel through water and even dive to depths up to 30 meters in pursuit of prey. Their plumage has a dense, downy layer that retains heat and waterproofing for spending extensive time in cold northern waters. Parents also have a vascularized brood patch for transferring heat to their egg during incubation shifts.
This species has a number of anti-predator defenses. Their nesting burrows help conceal breeding colonies. Chicks have cryptic down to camouflage them at sea. Ancient murrelets may also congregate in large floating rafts that provide safety in numbers from aerial predators. Their agility in the water helps them escape pursuit from below. During courtship, ancient murrelets perform distinct vocalizations and displays, like crest-raising, neck-stretching, bill-waving, and rituals like sky-pointing and circling flights.
Taxonomy
The ancient murrelet is classified in the family Alcidae along with other auks, guillemots, and puffins. Its genus Synthliboramphus includes three other closely related species:
- Craveri’s murrelet (Synthliboramphus craveri)
- Scripps’s murrelet (Synthliboramphus scrippsi)
- Guadalupe murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus)
These sister species all have similar compact morphology and breeding plumage ornamentation. The ancient murrelet’s scientific name Synthliboramphus antiquus was first established by the American ornithologist Robert Ridgway in 1919.
History and Folklore
Ancient murrelets were traditionally hunted by indigenous groups across their range, including the Aleuts, Inuit, and First Nations peoples. Their bones have been found in archaeological sites dated over 1,800 years old. The Aivilik people called this bird Nirliq, with Nirliq Island being named after them. For the Aleuts, the ancient murrelet was known as Chagichaghek, and its crest feathers were prized for adorning hunting hats. These small seabirds remain intertwined with the culture of indigenous coastal peoples.
In modern times, ancient murrelets were hunted extensively for the millinery trade that used feathers for decorating hats in the late 19th century. Their nests were also raided for eggs. Conservation measures were eventually implemented to counteract this overexploitation. While no longer hunted, ancient murrelets remain a key part of coastal ecosystems and indicator species for monitoring marine health.
Ancient Murrelet Subspecies
Up to five subspecies of the ancient murrelet have been recognized historically based on morphological and geographical differences:
- S. a. antiquus – Nominate, found from Aleutian Islands to Russia
- S. a. pervetus – Northern British Columbia to Alaska
- S. a. septentrionalis – Central British Columbia to Washington
- S. a. littoralis – Southern British Columbia to California
- S. a. brevicauda – Restricted to Japan
However, recent genetic studies have found little differentiation between populations in the North Pacific. Most authorities now recognize just a single species Synthliboramphus antiquus without separate subspecies.
Relationship with Humans
The ancient murrelet has an important relationship with coastal indigenous communities, being culturally significant and traditionally hunted for subsistence. This species can also serve as an indicator of ecosystem health in the North Pacific due to its sensitivity to marine conditions and anthropogenic threats like oil spills and bycatch. Birdwatchers who visit its breeding range may observe ancient murrelets among seabird colonies. But overall, this is a shy and elusive species that does not interact much with human activity outside of its nesting sites.
Conclusion
In summary, the ancient murrelet is a small seabird well-adapted to a pelagic lifestyle across cold northern waters. Its compact hydrodynamic shape, ornamental breeding plumage, and cryptic chicks showcase unique adaptations to its marine environment. While ancient murrelet populations suffered from overexploitation in the past, their remote breeding sites and at-sea habits provide a measure of protection. Ongoing conservation efforts focused on monitoring breeding colonies, reducing oil spill risks, and mitigating fisheries bycatch remain important for safeguarding the future of this species into the 21st century and beyond.