Long-billed Murrelet vs Little Auk

In short

The Long-billed Murrelet and Little Auk are both small seabirds in the Alcidae family, but they can be distinguished by their bill shape and plumage patterns. The Long-billed Murrelet has a notably longer bill and a more uniform dark upper body, while the Little Auk is smaller with a shorter, stubby bill and distinct black-and-white plumage.

Identification tips

1. Bill Shape: Look for the longer bill of the Long-billed Murrelet compared to the stubby bill of the Little Auk. 2. Plumage Contrast: Note the uniform dark plumage of the Long-billed Murrelet versus the contrasting black-and-white of the Little Auk. 3. Size: The Long-billed Murrelet is larger overall. 4. Habitat: Consider the location; Little Auks are more likely in Arctic regions, while Long-billed Murrelets are found in coastal areas.

Size

The Long-billed Murrelet is generally larger than the Little Auk, with a longer bill and body.

Plumage

The Long-billed Murrelet has a dark brown upper body with less contrast between the head and back, whereas the Little Auk displays a stark black-and-white contrast, with a black head and back and white underparts.

Behaviour

Both species are seabirds that spend much of their time on the water, but the Little Auk is more commonly seen in large flocks, especially during migration.

Habitat

The Long-billed Murrelet is typically found in coastal waters and is more likely to be seen near the shore, while the Little Auk is often found in Arctic waters and tends to breed on rocky cliffs.

Voice

The vocalizations of these species are not well-documented in the provided sources, but generally, the Little Auk is known for its high-pitched calls, especially during the breeding season.