Craveri's Murrelet

Synthliboramphus craveriOrder: CHARADRIIFORMES Family: Auks, Murres and Puffins (Alcidae)

Codes: Common Name: CRMU Scientific Name: SYNCRA ITIS Taxonomic No.: 177010

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Overview

Craveri's Murrelet: Small, plump seabird, reminiscent of a small, flying penguin. with black upperparts that extend as a bar onto the side of upper breast, distinct white crescents above and below eyes, white underparts, and dark gray underwing linings. Feeds on crustaceans and small fish.

Range and Habitat

Craveri's Murrelet: A threatened species; breeds on islands in the Gulf of California and off Baja California north to San Benito Islands. After breeding, wanders to the southern California coast, occasionally farther north. Rocky cliffs and offshore waters are the preferred habitat for this murrelet.

Topo Map: Upright-perching Water-like Body

Voice Text

"chatter-chatter-chatter"

Interesting Facts

Craveri's Murrelet is considered by some to be one of the more endangered species of auk. The estimated population is between 6,000-10,000 breeding pairs.

It flies well, and can take off without taxiing.

The chicks are highly precocial, leaving the nest within two days of hatching and running actively towards the sea, where the parents call to them. Once at sea the family swims to offshore waters.

A group of auks has many collective nouns, including a "colony", "loomery", and "raft" of auks.

Bird Term Glossary

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Bird Call Credits: The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Martyn Stewart, http://www.naturesound.org, Redmond, Washington USA. The reuse or copying of bird calls in this database is strictly forbidden.

Craveri's Murrelet

● Song: "chatter-chatter-chatter"

● Foraging & Feeding: Craveri's Murrelet: Feeds on young fish, including rockfish, herring, and lanternfish; forages by diving from the surface.

● Breeding & nesting: Craveri's Murrelet: Two white, yellow, olive or brown eggs are laid in a rock crevice or next to a boulder. Incubation ranges from 27 to 44 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Craveri's Murrelet: Other murrelets lack white crests above and below eyes.

Flight Pattern

Low direct flight over water with rapid wing beats.

● Range & Habitat: Craveri's Murrelet: A threatened species; breeds on islands in the Gulf of California and off Baja California north to San Benito Islands. After breeding, wanders to the southern California coast, occasionally farther north. Rocky cliffs and offshore waters are the preferred habitat for this murrelet.

^BreedingMonogamous, Colonial

^PopulationCommon to fairly common

^MigrationNonmigratory

^Weight5.3 Ounces

Upright-perching Water-like Body

Underparts

Belly, undertail coverts, chest, flanks, and foreneck.

Upperparts

Back, rump, hindneck, wings, and crown.

Breast

The upper front part of a bird.

4 and 6 letter alpha codes

The four letter common name alpha code is is derived from the first two letters of the common first name and the first two letters of common last name. The six letter species name alpha code is derived from the first three letters of the scientific name (genus) and the first three letters of the scientific name (species). See (1) below for the rules used to create the codes..

Four-letter (for English common names) and six-letter (for scientific names) species alpha codes were developed by Pyle and DeSante (2003, North American Bird-Bander 28:64-79) to reflect A.O.U. taxonomy and nomenclature (A.O.U. 1998) as modified by Supplements 42 (Auk 117:847-858, 2000) and 43 (Auk 119:897-906, 2002). The list has been updated by Pyle and DeSante to reflect changes reported by the A.O.U from 2003 through 2006.

Field Guide to Birds of North America