Ancient Murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus)
Resources
Status
- BC: Blue – S2S3B, S4N (2022)
- COSEWIC: Special Concern
- SARA: Special Concern (2006)
- Global: Apparently Secure (2016)
Description
A small, black-and-white seabird with a pale bill. Feeds on small fish and zooplankton.
Habitat
Near-coastal and offshore waters. Breeds in rocky crevices and earthen burrows.
Range
Occurs in coastal and offshore waters of the Pacific rim, from California to China. Breeds in colonies on north Pacific islands.
Threats
Ancient murrelets breed in large colonies on small islands, and many colonies are in decline due to predation by introduced rats and raccoons. Human disturbance, oil spills, wind turbines, and pollution threaten this species.
Galiano Status
This species is rarely sighted in the waters around Galiano Island.
Photo Credit
Kris & Robin Gwen Agarwal