Wildlifeof China
Ancient Murrelet
Shorebirds
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Synthliboramphus antiquus
Basic stats
Habitat
Burrows in forest soil among tree roots, under logs or in grass tussocks; occasionally rock crevices
Range
Breeds from the Yellow Sea (islands off China) through the Russian Pacific coast and the Aleutian Islands to Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
Clutch size
2 eggs (sometimes 1)
Size
20–24cm
Wingspan
45–46cm
Weight
150–250g
The ancient murrelet is a small auk, 20–24cm long with a 45–46cm wingspan, weighing 150–250g. It is called 'ancient' because the grey on its back resembles a shawl worn by the elderly. It is black on the head, throat and rear neck, grey-backed, and white below, with a short, stubby yellow bill and a small rounded black tail (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds from the Yellow Sea (islands off China) through the Russian Pacific coast and the Aleutian Islands to Haida Gwaii in British Columbia. It lays two eggs (sometimes one) in burrows in forest soil among tree roots, under logs or in grass tussocks, occasionally in rock crevices (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What habitat does the Ancient Murrelet live in?
- Burrows in forest soil among tree roots, under logs or in grass tussocks; occasionally rock crevices
- Where is the Ancient Murrelet found?
- Breeds from the Yellow Sea (islands off China) through the Russian Pacific coast and the Aleutian Islands to Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
- How many eggs does the Ancient Murrelet lay?
- 2 eggs (sometimes 1)
- How big is the Ancient Murrelet?
- 20–24cm
- What is the wingspan of the Ancient Murrelet?
- 45–46cm
- How much does the Ancient Murrelet weigh?
- 150–250g