BIRD OF THE MONTH

April: Marbled Murrelet

by Janine Schutt

Photograph of non-breeding Marbled Murrelet by Janine Schutt

Marbled Murrelet

In 1974, a great mystery of the avian world was solved when the first Marbled Murrelet nest was discovered high in the canopy of the northern California Redwoods. Federally listed as threatened and listed in Washington as endangered, this iconic, robin-sized seabird faces a twofold battle: needing diminishing old-growth forests for nesting and unpolluted saltwater full of forage fish to eat. Here are some fascinating facts about the Marbled Murrelet:

Resident of inland waters and the outer coast from Alaska to California.
Usually forages within 500 meters of shore for multiple species of forage fish but may venture up to 3 miles offshore in winter.
Feeds by diving up to 200 feet and rapidly propels its football-shaped body underwater with its flipper-like wings to catch fish.
Named for its diminutive size, compared to its larger cousin, the Common Murre.
One of six species of murrelets, all of which live along the Pacific Coast.
Breeding plumage is marbled brown and non-breeding plumage is dark gray and white.
Breeding pairs often stay together year-round.
Only member of the Alcid family that nests in trees instead of cliffs.
Pairs lay a single egg on a large, mossy limb high in an old-growth conifer up to 50 miles inland.
Eggs and nestlings are sometimes preyed upon by Common Ravens and Steller’s Jays, as forest fragmentation leads these predators deeper into old-growth forests.
Parents alternate 24-hour shifts, incubating the egg for a month and flying to and from the nearest saltwater to provide fish for the chick. Most of these flights are at dawn and dusk.
The chick leaves the nest after 27-40 days and stays with the parents into the fall.
Point No Point in Hansville is one of the state’s most reliable spots for seeing them as they forage close to shore and fly low and fast over the water.
May live up to 25 years, but oil spills, other marine pollution and derelict fishing nets shorten the lives of many individuals.
Studies have shown that only 28% of nesting attempts are successful. This is due to the destruction of old-growth forests, fragmentation of remaining habitat, and nest predation.
Population has declined by 30% since 1992 (per Conservation Northwest), and some studies have suggested the number is even greater.

Photo by Janine Schutt

Bird of the Month

BIRD OF THE MONTH

April: Marbled Murrelet

by Janine Schutt

Photograph of non-breeding Marbled Murrelet by Janine Schutt

Marbled Murrelet

Resident of inland waters and the outer coast from Alaska to California.

Usually forages within 500 meters of shore for multiple species of forage fish but may venture up to 3 miles offshore in winter.

Feeds by diving up to 200 feet and rapidly propels its football-shaped body underwater with its flipper-like wings to catch fish.

Named for its diminutive size, compared to its larger cousin, the Common Murre.

One of six species of murrelets, all of which live along the Pacific Coast.

Breeding plumage is marbled brown and non-breeding plumage is dark gray and white.

Breeding pairs often stay together year-round.

Only member of the Alcid family that nests in trees instead of cliffs.

Pairs lay a single egg on a large, mossy limb high in an old-growth conifer up to 50 miles inland.

Eggs and nestlings are sometimes preyed upon by Common Ravens and Steller’s Jays, as forest fragmentation leads these predators deeper into old-growth forests.

Parents alternate 24-hour shifts, incubating the egg for a month and flying to and from the nearest saltwater to provide fish for the chick. Most of these flights are at dawn and dusk.

The chick leaves the nest after 27-40 days and stays with the parents into the fall.

Point No Point in Hansville is one of the state’s most reliable spots for seeing them as they forage close to shore and fly low and fast over the water.

May live up to 25 years, but oil spills, other marine pollution and derelict fishing nets shorten the lives of many individuals.

Studies have shown that only 28% of nesting attempts are successful. This is due to the destruction of old-growth forests, fragmentation of remaining habitat, and nest predation.

Population has declined by 30% since 1992 (per Conservation Northwest), and some studies have suggested the number is even greater.

Photograph of breeding Marbled Murrelet by Janine Schutt