LC
Whiskered Auklet Aethia pygmaea



Taxonomy

Taxonomic source(s)
del Hoyo, J., Collar, N.J., Christie, D.A., Elliott, A. and Fishpool, L.D.C. 2014. HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International, Barcelona, Spain and Cambridge, UK.

IUCN Red List criteria met and history
Red List criteria met
Critically Endangered Endangered Vulnerable
- - -

Red List history
Year Category Criteria
2020 Least Concern
2018 Least Concern
2016 Least Concern
2012 Least Concern
2009 Least Concern
2008 Least Concern
2004 Least Concern
2000 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1994 Lower Risk/Least Concern
1988 Lower Risk/Least Concern
Species attributes

Migratory status not a migrant Forest dependency does not normally occur in forest
Land-mass type Average mass -
Range

Estimate Data quality
Extent of Occurrence (breeding/resident) 3,600,000 km2
Extent of Occurrence (non-breeding) 5,460,000 km2
Severely fragmented? no -
Population
Estimate Data quality Derivation Year of estimate
Population size 67000 mature individuals poor estimated 2015
Population trend decreasing - suspected -
Generation length 7.3 years - - -

Population justification: The global population is estimated to number more than 100,000 individuals, which equates to more than 67,000 mature individuals (del Hoyo et al. 1996).

Trend justification: The population is suspected to be in decline owing to predation by invasive species and ongoing habitat destruction.


Country/territory distribution
Country/Territory Presence Origin Resident Breeding visitor Non-breeding visitor Passage migrant
Japan extant native yes
Russia extant native yes yes
Russia (Asian) extant native yes yes
USA extant native yes yes

Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA)
Country/Territory IBA Name
Russia (Asian) Commander Islands
Russia (Asian) Iony Island
Russia (Asian) Kuril islands (between Urup and Paramushir)
USA Amchitka Pass 180W51N
USA Buldir & Near Islands Marine
USA Buldir Island Colony
USA Fenimore Pass & Atka Island Marine
USA Gareloi Island Marine
USA Kagamil Island Marine
USA Kiska Island Marine
USA Seguam Island Marine
USA Unimak & Akutan Passes

Habitats & altitude
Habitat (level 1) Habitat (level 2) Importance Occurrence
Marine Coastal/Supratidal Sea Cliffs and Rocky Offshore Islands major breeding
Marine Intertidal Rocky Shoreline major breeding
Marine Intertidal Tidepools major breeding
Marine Neritic Macroalgal/Kelp major resident
Marine Neritic Pelagic major resident
Marine Neritic Seagrass (Submerged) major resident
Marine Neritic Subtidal Loose Rock/pebble/gravel major resident
Marine Neritic Subtidal Rock and Rocky Reefs major resident
Marine Neritic Subtidal Sandy major resident
Marine Neritic Subtidal Sandy-Mud major resident
Marine Oceanic Epipelagic (0-200m) suitable resident
Marine Oceanic Mesopelagic (200-1000m) suitable resident
Altitude   Occasional altitudinal limits  

Threats & impact
Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses
Climate change & severe weather Habitat shifting & alteration Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Ecosystem degradation, Species mortality
Climate change & severe weather Storms & flooding Timing Scope Severity Impact
Ongoing Whole (>90%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses
Indirect ecosystem effects, Reduced reproductive success, Species mortality

Utilisation
Purpose Scale
Pets/display animals, horticulture international

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Whiskered Auklet Aethia pygmaea. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/whiskered-auklet-aethia-pygmaea on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.