Hi,
This very darkish auklet/murre seen today at Monterey. Appeared slightly smaller than the Murre's it was flying with but not by much. Darker upperparts, headprofile, blackish underwing and black on chest is different than the murre's. Rhinoceros Auklet came to my mind first but hard to tell bill shape on these photos. It seems the underwing has a very tiny and thin white stripe which is fitting Parakeet Auklet, but if Parakeet, it should be way smaller than the murre's I assume.
I have heard that black Murre's do exist, maybe it is just one of them?
Any opinions is very helpful, thanks,
Anton
This very darkish auklet/murre seen today at Monterey. Appeared slightly smaller than the Murre's it was flying with but not by much. Darker upperparts, headprofile, blackish underwing and black on chest is different than the murre's. Rhinoceros Auklet came to my mind first but hard to tell bill shape on these photos. It seems the underwing has a very tiny and thin white stripe which is fitting Parakeet Auklet, but if Parakeet, it should be way smaller than the murre's I assume.
I have heard that black Murre's do exist, maybe it is just one of them?
Any opinions is very helpful, thanks,
Anton