Guadalupe murrelet
Guadalupe murrelet | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Charadriiformes |
Family: | Alcidae |
Genus: | Synthliboramphus |
Species: | S. hypoleucus
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Binomial name | |
Synthliboramphus hypoleucus (
Xántus, J , 1860) | |
The Guadalupe murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) or Xantus's murrelet is a small
This species together with the Scripps's murrelet were considered conspecific and were classified under S. hypoleucus; known collectively as Xantus's murrelet until 2012. Enough evidence was collected to consider both species distinct based on a lack of evidence of interbreeding where the two species nest together on the San Benito Islands, differences in facial pattern and bill shape, vocalizations and genetics.[4][5][6]
Description and range
This species is a small black and white auk with a small head and thin sharp bill. It resembles the closely related Scripps's and Craveri's murrelet, with which it shares the distinction of being the most southerly living of all the auk species. It breeds from Guadalupe Island south to the San Benito Islands. After the breeding season it disperses locally at sea northward up to southern California in the United States.
Behavior
Guadalupe murrelet feeds far out at sea, often in association with large
It nests in small crevices, caves and under dense bushes on arid islands in loose scattered colonies. It returns to the colony only at night, laying two eggs which are incubated for about a month. Like other synthliboramphine murrelets (e.g. the
Little is known about the time at sea due to difficulties in studying them.
Status and conservation
By the end of the 20th century, the Xantus's murrelet complex was considered to be among the most endangered group of auk.[7] This has changed since, but not because the present species' status has improved, but because other auks have become rarer.
Guadalupe murrelet is mainly threatened by
References
- . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- S2CID 49360219.
- S2CID 216216779.
- S2CID 86799974.
- .
- ^ Keitt, B.S. (2005). "Status of Xantus's Murrelet and its nesting habitat in Baja California, Mexico" (PDF). Marine Ornithology. 33: 105–114.
- IUCN Redlist(1988, 1994, 2000)
Further reading
- Drost, C.A. & Lewis, D.B. (1995): Xantus's Murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus). In: Poole, A. & Gill, F. (eds.): The Birds of North America: 164. doi:10.2173/bna.164
- Gaston, Anthony & Jones, Ian (1998): The Auks, Alcidae. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN 0-19-854032-9
- Thayer, John E.; Bangs, Outram (1908). "The Present State of the Ornis of Guadaloupe Island" (PDF). JSTOR 1360977.