Birds and wildlife
Little Auk
Alle alleGroup: AuksUK Conservation status:Green1 / 3
How to identify
The Little Auk is a small seabird, of similar size to a Starling. It's black above and white below, and in flight it shows dark underwings. It has a black stubby bill, and a short neck and tail. It flies with very fast whirring wingbeats low over the sea. A winter visitor to the waters around the UK, it's seen in small numbers each year. It breeds in the Arctic and winters in the North Atlantic. Some birds enter the North Sea in autumn and large numbers can be seen passing offshore during gales.Key
- Resident
- Passage
- Summer
- Winter
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Key facts
- Beak Black
- Conservation statusNot assessed
- Diet Plankton, other tiny marine creatures and fish.
- Feather Brown, Black, White
- Leg Black
- Length 17-19cm
- Habitats Marine and Intertidal
- UK passage Variable
- Weight 140-170g
- Wingspan 40-48cm