Friday 30 September 2022

Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata)

OTHER NAMES: Rhino Auklet, Horn-billed Puffin, Unicorn Puffin
Latin Etymology: Cerorhinca ("horn bill") monocerata ("one horned")

Two breeding plumage Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) seen on Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip - September 2022


Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 350-620g  /  Length: 28-29cm  /  Wingspan: 59-62cm
NO UK STATUSIUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Rhinoceros Auklet is the closest relation of the puffins, and shares some similar traits including a fairly dumpy body with a relatively short thick bill used to grasp prey in lines, and the fact it has an unusually decorated beak which is lost in winter. In this case, the namesake "horn" is lost in Winter. Additionally, like the puffins, it is a burrow nester.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Alcidae
Genus: Cerorhinca
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska and small areas of all West Coast states, found in non-breeding season offshore of the Lower 48
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen on the Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip

 Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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