Birds nocturnal

Cassin's Auklet

Ptychoramphus aleuticus

The Cassin's Auklet is a mysterious, nocturnal wanderer of the North Pacific. These 'sea-parrots' spend their lives riding the waves, coming ashore only under the cloak of night to raise their young in hidden underground burrows.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 8-9 in (20-23 cm) | Wingspan: 15 in (38 cm) | Weight: 5.3-7 oz (150-200 g)

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Colors

Sooty-gray or brownish-black upperparts; pale gray throat and breast; white belly. Small white spot above the eye and a white crescent on the lower eyelid.

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Key Features

Plump, football-shaped body with a very short neck
Small white crescent markings above and below the eye
Short, stubby black bill with a pale yellow-gray spot at the base
Dark gray-brown plumage with a contrasting white belly

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 10 PM - 3 AM (at nesting sites)

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Season March-July

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Diet Cassin's Auklets are planktivores, specializing in lipid-rich zooplankton like krill, copepods, and larval fish. They use their wings to dive deep underwater to hunt.

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Habitat Open ocean (pelagic) for most of the year; nests on offshore islands with soft soil for burrowing or rocky crevices.

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Behavior

The Cassin's Auklet is a true maritime specialist, spending the vast majority of its life far out at sea. These birds are highly social and are often found in large 'rafts' floating on the ocean surface. They are incredible pursuit-divers, essentially 'flying' underwater by flapping their powerful wings to chase down tiny marine organisms. Because they are relatively small and vulnerable to predators like gulls and owls, they have evolved a strictly nocturnal schedule when visiting their breeding colonies.

When they do come ashore, it is exclusively to nest in underground burrows or rock crevices on offshore islands. They are known for their frantic, direct flight patterns as they zip from the water to their nests under the cover of darkness. While they generally avoid human interaction, they are well-studied by scientists because their population health is a vital indicator of the overall productivity of the Pacific Ocean's currents.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Cassin's Auklet on camera requires a coastal setup, as these birds won't visit inland feeders. If you live on a coastal property or have access to an island colony, the secret is finding the burrow. Look for small holes roughly 3-4 inches in diameter in soft soil or beneath beach vegetation. Position your camera on a short tripod or a ground mount just 12-18 inches away from the entrance, angled slightly downward to see into the 'porch' of the burrow.

Because these birds only arrive at their nests after sunset to avoid predators, your camera’s Infrared (IR) capabilities are everything. Use a camera with 'No-Glow' or 'Black' IR LEDs to ensure the light doesn't spook the bird or attract the attention of nest predators. Set your camera to a high-sensitivity trigger and a short video mode (10-15 seconds) rather than still photos; the way these birds waddle and disappear into the earth is far more interesting to watch than a static image.

Timing is critical. You’ll want your gear out during the peak breeding season, typically from late winter through early summer. During this window, parents are constantly shuttling food back to their single chick. Avoid using any white-light flashes or external spotlights, as this can disorient the birds and make them easy targets for gulls. If you are using an AI-powered camera like those from EverydayEarth, look for 'Bird' or 'Small Mammal' detection settings to capture the quick movement at the burrow entrance.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Cassin's Auklet.

Ancient Murrelet

The Ancient Murrelet has a yellow bill and distinct white head stripes, whereas the Cassin's is mostly drab gray.

Parakeet Auklet

Parakeet Auklets have a bright orange, circular bill and a white line behind the eye, compared to the Cassin's stubby dark bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

On land, Cassin's Auklet are strictly nocturnal, arriving at their nesting colonies well after dark and leaving before the sun rises. At sea, they are active during the day, foraging for plankton.

You cannot attract them with traditional feeders. They only visit land on coastal islands or clifftops for nesting. Maintaining natural coastal vegetation and reducing light pollution are the best ways to support their habitat.

They eat tiny marine life, specifically krill, copepods, and small larval fish, which they catch by diving deep into the ocean.

No, they are pelagic birds. You will only see them near the shore during the breeding season on specific offshore islands or remote coastal cliffs from Alaska down to Baja California.

Cassin's Auklets are more uniform gray and lack the white 'shoulder' patches seen on Marbled Murrelets. Additionally, the Cassin's Auklet has a distinct white crescent on the lower eyelid.

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