Birds diurnal

Parakeet Auklet

Aethia psittacula

Meet the 'smiling' seabird of the North Pacific. With its unique upturned bill and elegant white facial plumes, the Parakeet Auklet is a master of the rocky Aleutian cliffs.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 9–10 in (23–25 cm); Wingspan: 19–20 in (48–51 cm); Weight: 8.8–12 oz (250–340 g)

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Colors

Upperparts are sooty black to slate-gray; underparts are bright white. Features a distinctive bright orange-red bill and a thin white plume of feathers extending from behind the eye.

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Key Features

Circular, upturned orange-red bill
Thin white facial plume behind the eye
Slate-gray upperparts with white belly
Stocky, rounded body shape
Yellowish-white iris

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6-10 AM and 5-9 PM (Peak colony activity at dawn and dusk)

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Season May-August

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Diet Specializes in soft-bodied marine life like jellyfish and salps, supplemented by amphipods, larval fish, and small crustaceans.

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Habitat Remote offshore islands, coastal cliffs, and talus slopes during breeding; open ocean (pelagic) during winter.

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Behavior

The Parakeet Auklet is a social yet somewhat more independent member of the auk family. Unlike their cousins, the Crested or Least Auklets, Parakeet Auklets tend to nest in smaller, more dispersed groups rather than massive, dense colonies. They are exceptionally skilled divers, using their wings to "fly" underwater while hunting for prey in the boreal waters of the North Pacific. During the breeding season, they occupy rocky island cliffs and boulder fields, where they are known for their quiet demeanor compared to the noisy chatter of other seabird colonies.

While they spend most of their lives at sea, they return to land to breed during the spring and summer. They are monogamous and show high site fidelity, often returning to the same rock crevice year after year. Interactions with humans are rare due to their remote island habitats, but they are a favorite for birders visiting the Aleutian or Pribilof Islands. On the water, they are often seen in small groups, resting on the surface between deep foraging dives.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Parakeet Auklet requires a specialized approach since they reside on rugged, wind-swept island cliffs. If you are setting up a camera near a known nesting site, focus on rocky talus slopes or boulder fields where crevices are present. Because these birds are smaller than they appear on screen, position your camera at a low angle, roughly 12 to 24 inches off the ground, to capture their unique profile and facial markings against the rock. Use a heavy-duty tripod or a secure rock mount, as the North Pacific winds can easily tip over standard equipment.

Lighting is your biggest challenge in their foggy, maritime habitats. Set your camera to a higher ISO sensitivity or use a wider aperture if possible to compensate for the frequent overcast conditions. Since Parakeet Auklets are active and move quickly from the sea to their burrows, a high shutter speed or a fast-triggering burst mode is essential. Aim the lens at "landing platforms"—flat, prominent rocks near crevice entrances where the birds often pause to scan for predators before entering their nests.

Salt spray and moisture are the enemies of electronics in auklet territory. Ensure your camera is housed in a weather-sealed, waterproof casing. To avoid lens fogging, use desiccant packets inside the housing. While you shouldn't use food bait in these sensitive ecosystems, these birds are naturally curious about new objects in their environment. Placing a camera near a communal loafing rock (identifiable by white guano staining) is the most effective way to get high-quality close-ups without disturbing their natural nesting behavior.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Parakeet Auklet.

Crested Auklet

Has a prominent forward-leaning feather crest on the forehead and lacks the bright white belly of the Parakeet Auklet.

Least Auklet

Much smaller with a shorter, stubbier bill and white speckling on the wings and back.

Whiskered Auklet

Features three distinct white facial plumes and a much smaller, less circular bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Parakeet Auklets are most active at their breeding colonies during the early morning and late evening. They spend the middle of the day foraging at sea and are generally diurnal, though they return to land under the cover of low light to avoid avian predators.

Unfortunately, Parakeet Auklets cannot be attracted to typical backyards. They are pelagic seabirds that live exclusively in the North Pacific and only come to land on remote, rocky islands to breed. To see them, you would need to visit coastal Alaska or Siberia.

Their diet is unique among auklets; their circular, upturned bill is specially adapted for catching soft-bodied prey like jellyfish and salps. They also eat small crustaceans, krill, and larval fish caught during deep dives.

No, they are never found in suburban areas. They are strictly marine birds, spending their winters in the open ocean and their summers on uninhabited islands and steep coastal cliffs.

The easiest way is the bill and the head. Parakeet Auklets have a bright orange, upturned bill and a single thin white plume behind the eye. Crested Auklets have a distinct forward-curling feather crest on their forehead and a citrus-like scent.

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