Marbled murrelet

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small seabird from the North Pacific. It belongs to the family Alcidae, which also includes auklets, guillemots, murres, and puffins. This bird is special because it nests in old-growth forests or on the ground in places where trees cannot grow.

Marbled murrelets have faced challenges because humans have cut down many of the tall, old trees where they like to build their nests. This began in the latter half of the 19th century and has caused the number of these birds to go down. Because of this, the marbled murrelet has become an important symbol, or flagship species, for people who work to protect forests. Its situation has helped draw attention to the need for forest protection in many areas.

Taxonomy

The marbled murrelet was first described in 1789 by the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin. He placed it in a different group but later it was moved to its current genus, Brachyramphus, meaning "short bill". The name marmoratus refers to its marbled appearance.

Originally, the long-billed murrelet was thought to be the same species, but studies showed they are different. Today, the marbled murrelet is recognized as its own unique species with no subspecies.

Description

The marbled murrelet is a small, chunky bird, about 25 cm long, with a slender black bill and pointed wings. Its feathers change with the seasons. When not breeding, it has white feathers underneath and black on its head, neck, wings, and back. During breeding time, it gets a brown mottled body and face. This bird looks very similar to the long-billed murrelet, another type of auk, but it is slightly smaller and lacks a pale white throat that the long-billed murrelet has. In winter, the marbled murrelet also has a white neck collar, which the long-billed murrelet does not have.

Main article: Auk
Further information: Plumage , Long-billed murrelet , Conspecific

Distribution and habitat

Marbled murrelets are found along the coast of North America, from Alaska down to California. During summer, they stay near the coast, usually within a couple of miles of the ocean. In winter, they stay in roughly the same areas but may move away from the very northern parts where ice forms.

These birds live near the ocean but sometimes go far inland. They have been seen up to 59 miles away from the coast in places like Washington, Oregon, and California. They especially like old-growth forests near the coast for nesting, with big trees and lots of moss. In areas without big trees, they may nest on the ground or in rocky spots near the ocean. They also hunt for food in the ocean close to shore and sometimes on freshwater lakes.

Behavior

The marbled murrelet feeds at sea, both far from the shore and in protected bays. It hunts small fish and invertebrates like sand lance, Pacific herring, and certain shrimp-like creatures below the water's surface. These birds often hunt in pairs and sometimes form larger groups in winter.

Their nesting habits are unique. Unlike many similar birds, marbled murrelets build nests in old-growth forests in trees such as western hemlock, Sitka spruce, Douglas-fir, and coastal redwood. They lay a single egg on a bed of lichen or moss. In colder areas, they may nest on the ground instead. After about a month, the chick leaves the nest and flies to the ocean. These birds usually start breeding when they are two years old, and they nest from mid-April to late September.

Predators

Steller's jays and common ravens are known to prey on marbled murrelet eggs and nestlings. These birds can pose a threat to the small seabirds while they are nesting in old-growth forests or on the ground in areas where trees cannot grow.

Status and Conservation

The marbled murrelet is considered globally endangered, with its population declining according to the IUCN Red List. Factors such as the loss of old-growth forest nesting habitats and warming ocean temperatures negatively affect their numbers. Conservation efforts, like the Northwest Forest Plan, focus on protecting their nesting and marine habitats to help stabilize their population. Studies show that human activity can also impact their chicks, highlighting the importance of careful conservation measures.