marbled murrelet

bird

Also known as: Brachyramphus marmoratus

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small diving bird belonging to the auk family. It is characterized by dusky plumage with white underparts mottled with brown. These birds are found along the coast, ranging from Alaska down to California.12

Murrelets are typically about 8 inches long and have thin bills. Some species have young that go to sea just two days after hatching, with webbed feet that are nearly full-sized at birth.2

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murrelet
Breeding in Alaska are the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), seen as far south as California, and Kittlitz’s murrelet, (B. brevirostris), which reaches Japan. Most southerly is Xantus’s murrelet (Endomychura hypoleucus), which nests on the hot coast of Baja California and (like some gulls of the region) travels north in winter.
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Breeding in Alaska are the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), seen as far south as California, and Kittlitz’s murrelet, (B. brevirostris), which reaches Japan. Most southerly is Xantus’s murrelet (Endomychura hypoleucus), which nests on the hot coast of Baja California and (like some gulls of the region) travels north in winter.
Read More