Birds crepuscular

Marbled Murrelet

Brachyramphus marmoratus

A mysterious bridge between the deep sea and the ancient forest, the Marbled Murrelet is a rare treasure of the Pacific Coast. Known for nesting in the tops of giant redwoods and firs, this elusive seabird is a flagship species for forest conservation.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 9.5–10 in (24–25 cm); Wingspan: 15–17 in (38–43 cm); Weight: 7–9 oz (200–250 g)

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Colors

Breeding adults are mottled brown and cinnamon; non-breeding adults are blackish-brown above with white underparts and a white 'collar' around the neck.

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Key Features

Chunky, starling-sized body with a very short neck
Pointed wings that beat rapidly in flight
Mottled brown 'marbled' plumage during summer months
White patches on the shoulders (scapulars) during winter

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern crepuscular

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Peak hours 4:00 AM – 7:00 AM (forest fly-ins) and 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

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Season April-August (Nesting season), though present year-round on the coast

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Diet Small schooling fish such as Pacific sand lance, Pacific herring, and capelin, supplemented by marine invertebrates like krill and mysids.

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Habitat Nearshore saltwater for foraging; old-growth or mature coniferous forests for nesting (up to 50 miles inland).

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Behavior

The Marbled Murrelet is often called the 'Enigma of the Pacific' because its nesting habits remained a mystery to scientists until 1974. Unlike most seabirds that nest on rocky cliffs or islands, this species flies miles inland to lay a single egg on the mossy, wide limbs of ancient, old-growth coniferous trees. They are highly secretive near their nests, typically arriving and departing under the cover of twilight to avoid detection by predators like jays and crows.

When at sea, they are usually found in pairs or small groups within a mile or two of the shoreline. They are exceptional divers, using their wings to 'fly' underwater in pursuit of small fish. While they are generally wary of humans, they can occasionally be spotted from coastal piers or boats, appearing as small, dark 'footballs' bobbing on the waves before suddenly vanishing beneath the surface.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Marbled Murrelet on a trail camera is the ultimate challenge for coastal wildlife enthusiasts. If you live in an area with old-growth forest (like the Pacific Northwest), your best bet is to position cameras in clearings or along forest edges where these birds might fly through at high speeds. Because they travel at speeds up to 100 mph, you must use a camera with an ultra-fast trigger speed (0.2 seconds or less). Set your camera to 'Burst Mode' or high-frame-rate video (60fps) to avoid getting nothing but a brown blur.

Placement is everything. If you are monitoring a forest property, look for 'flight corridors'—natural gaps in the canopy. Aim your camera slightly upward toward the sky or along the line of a creek bed, which they often use as a navigational highway. Since they are most active at dawn (the 'dawn fly-in'), ensure your camera has excellent low-light performance or high-quality infrared sensors that won't blow out the image as the sun begins to rise.

For those with coastal backyards or docks, a camera mounted on a stable tripod overlooking the water can be effective. Use a telephoto lens attachment if available. Focus on the 'nearshore' zone—the area just past the breaking waves. Unlike many birds, they aren't attracted to traditional feeders or lures; however, they are drawn to areas with high concentrations of baitfish. Monitoring tide charts can help; the hour around high tide often brings forage fish closer to shore, bringing the murrelets with them.

Finally, consider the audio. Many modern AI cameras can trigger based on sound. The Marbled Murrelet has a very distinct, high-pitched 'keer-keer' call that sounds almost like a gull but sharper. If your camera supports acoustic triggering, setting it to listen for these calls during the pre-dawn hours can significantly increase your chances of a successful capture during the breeding season.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Marbled Murrelet.

Ancient Murrelet

The Ancient Murrelet has a distinct yellowish bill and a black 'bib' or throat patch that the Marbled Murrelet lacks.

Pigeon Guillemot

Guillemots are larger with bright red feet and a prominent white wing patch, unlike the mottled brown or black-and-white pattern of the murrelet.

Common Murre

Much larger and more penguin-like in appearance, the Common Murre lacks the Marbled Murrelet's unique summer mottling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Marbled Murrelets are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They typically fly from the ocean to their inland forest nests under the cover of twilight to avoid predators.

You cannot attract Marbled Murrelets with food or birdbaths. The best way to 'attract' them is to preserve old-growth trees and reduce light pollution if you live in a coastal or forested area, as they rely on dark, natural corridors for navigation.

Their diet consists mainly of small forage fish like sand lance and herring, which they catch by diving deep into nearshore saltwater. They also eat small crustaceans like krill.

They are rare in suburban areas unless your neighborhood is directly adjacent to the Pacific coast or contains stands of ancient, high-canopy coniferous trees.

In winter, the Marbled Murrelet has a distinct white collar and white patches on its shoulders, whereas the Ancient Murrelet has a black throat and a white stripe above the eye.

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