Scripp's Murrelet
About the Scripp's Murrelet
Also known as: Xantus's Murrelet

Scripp's Murrelets feed far out in the ocean outside of breeding season, though they do not typically venture as far out as Guadalupe Murrelets. They are often found around larger pelagic fish species, like tuna. The Scripp's Murrelet feeds by diving under the water, propelling itself with its wings, in typical auk fashion.
Baby Scripp's Murrelets are extremely precocial; they are able to care for themselves at a very young age. Chicks leave the nest just two days after hatching.
Details & Statistics
Added to Birdorable
Hatched 1 February 2016
Scientific Name
Synthliboramphus scrippsi
Bird Family
Conservation Status
Vulnerable (as of 5 May 2020)
VU
- Least Concern (LC)
- Near Threatened (NT)
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Endangered (EN)
- Critically Endangered (CR)
- Extinct in the Wild (EW)
- Extinct (EX)
Source: IUCN Red List
Measurements
Length:
9 to 9.8 inches
(22.9 to 24.9 cm)
Wingspan:
15.7 inches
(39.9 cm)
Weight:
4.8 to 7.6 ounces
(136.1 to 215.5 grams)
Conservation
The Scripp's Murrelet is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and was last assessed in 2014 by BirdLife International. This newly split species is listed as Vulnerable because it occupies a small range when breeding, nesting on only a few islands and islets, and is inferred to be in on-going decline owing mainly to the impacts of invasive mammalian predators. If it is found to be breeding at more than 10 locations, the species may warrant downlisting to a lower threat category.
International Names
Chinese
斯氏海雀
Danish
Californisk Dværgalk
Dutch
Scripps' Alk
French
Guillemot de Scripps
German
Scrippsalk
Italian
Urietta di Scripps
Polish
morzyk zalobny
Spanish
Mérgulo californiano aliclaro
Swedish
Scripps californiaalka