An abundant breeding species that can be found easily from May-August, though it is found only rarely in the fall. The earliest arrivals on the island are typically noted in mid-late April and are present in numbers by May, with peak numbers occurring in June and July. The estimated breeding population in the Pribilofs is […]
Category: Auks, Murres, and Puffins (Alcidae)
Rhinoceros Auklet
This is a very rare spring and summer visitor that has been found annually in recent years, though typically only on sporadic dates throughout the spring and summer period. It has been found most commonly as an arrival in late May or early June and there are occasional sightings into the summer period with most […]
Horned Puffin
This is the last regularly breeding species to arrive on the island in most years as individuals are not found around the islands until about May 20th in most years. After arrival, they become regular sights quickly with typical spring numbers present within a few days of the first sighting most years. Breeding estimates for […]
Tufted Puffin
This species of puffin tends to arrive at the islands more on par with the other species of alcids, most commonly in late April, though in some years it may not be until the first week of May. This species is more apparent during the spring and early summer than the Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata), […]
Dovekie
A semi-annual arrival in the Pribilofs between May and August, this likely does not account for the species’ true abundance or arrival pattern in the Pribilofs. Nearly all known occurrences have been in conjunction with Least Auklets (Aethia pusilla) during spring and summer, with the first part of June accounting for the most records. It […]
Common Murre
This is an abundant breeding species on each of the four main Pribilof Islands, which is found less regularly during the winter months. The species begins to return to the islands and nesting sites by early-mid April with substantial numbers present by the end of that month or early May and full numbers on the […]
Thick-billed Murre
The most common breeding species in the Pribilof Islands, it is an abundant resident from the spring through the fall. Individuals begin to return to the islands in late March or early April with substantial numbers present by mid-late April. Many thousands are present by the beginning of May, with breeding commencing during the first […]
Black Guillemot
An arctic species that is likely found annually in the Pribilofs, generally in association with winter sea ice, though there are only sporadic reports of this species. This is one of only a few species that is more likely to be found in winter, which is why there are only about 10 local records, with […]
Pigeon Guillemot
A year-round resident of the Pribilof Islands, though there is no evidence that it breeds locally, this species can easily be found at most times of the year. It is most common in spring, during the second half of May, as the birds move between their wintering grounds at sea and the mainland or other […]
Long-billed Murrelet
There are only six known occurrences of this species in the Pribilofs, all in the spring during late May or early June except for a single fall record in late September. However, there is no reason to believe this species isn’t possible at any time during spring, summer, or fall with recent records in Alaska […]