Marbled Murrelet Facts
by Geeta Singh
The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small seabird from the North Pacific. It is a member of the auk family. It nests in old-growth forests or on the ground at higher latitudes where trees cannot grow. Scientists at Redwood National Park have established a connection between human presence in marbled murrelet territory and corvid predation of marbled murrelet chicks. Marbled murrelets do not breed until they are at least 2 years old. It's listed as a threatened species as a result of loss of habitat as old-growth forest is logged. Oil spills off the coast and gill-net fishing have additionally affected this bird adversely. Falcons and owls prey upon the marbled murrelet. Diet: The marbled murrelet could be a carnivore (meat-eater). It eats tiny fish and invertebrates from the ocean. It hunts throughout the day (it is diurnal).
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| credits: homocidalpenguin |

















