Auks

Auks are a group of seabirds in the family Alcidae, found mainly in the northern oceans of the world. They include species such as murres, auklets, razorbills, and puffins. Auks are adapted to life at sea but come to land to breed on cliffs, rocky shores, and isolated islands in arctic, subarctic, and temperate regions of the North Atlantic and North Pacific. They are typically medium-sized, with compact bodies and short wings, and most species exhibit black upperparts and white underparts, which helps with camouflage while swimming and from overhead predators.

Auks are among the most proficient divers of birds. They use their wings to propel themselves underwater in pursuit of schooling fish and crustaceans, and they can dive to considerable depths. On land, they are awkward walkers but good runners, and most species nest in colonies on inaccessible ledges or crevices, sometimes in burrows. Their plumage and feeding habits are well suited to marine life, and they migrate seasonally between breeding sites and farther-ranging feeding areas.

Breeding typically involves laying a single egg, with both parents sharing incubation and later chick care. Nests may be simple ground depressions, crevices, or ledges, depending on the species. Chicks fledge after several weeks to a couple of months, after which they join a family of young birds that disperses at sea.

Conservation status varies among species. Habitat loss, introduced predators on breeding islands, overfishing that reduces prey availability, and climate change threaten several auks. The great auk, a close relative, became extinct in the mid-19th century. Many living species are monitored and protected to maintain population stability and ecological balance in their marine environments.