- Cerorhinca monocerata
Identification
Length: 38 cm (15 in), Wingspan: 56cm (22”)
Hornlike protrusion on base of upper mandible distinguishes this bird; however, it is not present in winter. Rounded body dark brown, with whitish belly and yellow-orange bill. In breeding season, has two prominent white streaks on face extending backwards from above the eye and the base of the bill.
Distribution
West coast of North America: From Santa Barbara north to Aleutian Islands in summer, shifting south from mid-Baja to Vancouver Island in winter. Also in Asia breeds from Southeast Russia, to Japan wintering to Korea
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Near coastline on water, comes ashore at night to nest in burrows.
Behaviour
Actions
Often seen in large numbers in winter. Awkward in takeoff, running on surface of water while gaining speed. Flies close to water in a straight line, often in "pace lines" with others. Floats very low in water, consistent with other diving birds.
Diet
Dives frequently for small fish, can stay under for up to 2 minutes. Captures multiple fish in bill for transport to nest, similar to puffins.
Breeding
Monogamous.
Vocalisation
Usually silent. At breeding colonies gives a low-pitched growling or mooing call.
Movements
Partial migrant.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gaston, A. J. and S. B. Dechesne (1996). Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.212
- Nettleship, D.N., Garcia, E.F.J. & Boesman, P. (2019). Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54077 on 15 August 2019).
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Rhinoceros Auklet. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 2 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Rhinoceros_Auklet
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
