# Marbled Murrelet (*Brachyramphus marmoratus*) The Marbled Murrelet is a small bird that loves to live in coastal forests. It is special because it nests high up in the trees, unlike many other birds that build nests on the ground. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Marbled Murrelet](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/WO_2087_Marbled_Murrelet.jpg&width=800) Photo: Gus van Vliet (not with USFWS, and the image does NOT belong to USFWS), Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:WO_2087_Marbled_Murrelet.jpg) ## Appearance The Marbled Murrelet is a small, stocky seabird with a short neck and pointed wings. In breeding season, it has a mottled brown and white 'marbled' pattern all over. In winter, it is dark blackish above and bright white below, looking much different. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Charadriiformes - **Family:** Alcidae - **Genus:** Brachyramphus ## Interesting facts - Murrelet chicks leap from high forest nests to fly to the sea! - They fly silently to and from nests in darkness, avoiding predators. - They lay a single egg on a wide, mossy tree branch, not a typical nest! - They need ancient, giant trees in old forests, miles from the ocean! ## Special abilities - **Forest Nester:** Marbled Murrelets can nest high in ancient forest trees, often miles inland, which is very unusual for a seabird. - **Underwater Dynamo:** Marbled Murrelets can dive deep underwater to catch fast-moving fish, using their wings like flippers. - **Swift Commuter:** Marbled Murrelets has short, pointed wings that help them fly incredibly fast between ocean and forest. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 24-27 cm - **Wingspan:** 40-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.19-0.26 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1 - **Incubation:** 28-30 days ## Diet & Feeding This seabird loves to dive deep for small fish and tiny ocean critters to eat! - **Primary Foods:** Pacific herring, northern anchovy, Pacific sand lance, krill - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — Adults and chicks can be prey for large raptors. - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — Known to ambush murrelets during flight. - **Shelter:** [Sitka Spruce](https://www.snappit.app/explore/sitka-spruce) (*Picea sitchensis*) — Provides critical nesting platforms in its ancient branches. - **Hunts:** [Pacific Herring](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pacific-herring) (*Clupea pallasii*) — A primary food source caught by diving in the ocean. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not disturb their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Marbled Murrelet? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Marbled Murrelet? 24-27 cm ### What is Marbled Murrelet's wingspan? 40-45 cm ### How much does Marbled Murrelet weigh? 0.19-0.26 kg ### How long does Marbled Murrelet live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Marbled Murrelet move? 70 km/h ### What does Marbled Murrelet eat? This seabird loves to dive deep for small fish and tiny ocean critters to eat! ### Where is Marbled Murrelet usually found? Coastal areas ## Where to spot - [Point Retreat Light](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/point-retreat-light) — US · Historic District - [Saltery Bay Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/saltery-bay-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Marbled Murrelet: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/marbled-murrelet)