Characteristics
 The least auklet is a sparrow-sized seabird. It is about six inches long.
The least auklet is the smallest species in the Alcid family.
It has dark brown to black feathers on its back and wings. It has white spotted feathers on its chest and undersides. In summer, it has a white plume behind its eyes. It has a dark red bill, yellow eyes, a very short tail and webbed gray-black feet. Males and females look the same.
RangeThe least auklet breeds on islands off the coast of Alaska. It winters on the open water.
Habitat
The least auklet nests on rocky coasts with lots of rocks and boulders. It lives on the open ocean when it is not mating season.
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Diet
The least auklet dives from the surface of the water and scoops up zooplankton.
Life Cycle
 The least auklet leaves the open ocean in June to return to its breeding grounds. The least auklets will gather in large colonies on boulder covered beaches and on scattered locations on cliff faces. Female least auklets lay just one egg in a crevice. The egg hatches in about a month.
The least auklet carries food for its chick back to the colony in a special throat pouch.
The chick will fledge in a month.
Behavior
Least auklets only come on land to breed.
Image Credits: Clipart.com unless otherwise noted
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