Birds Most active at dawn and dusk

Marbled Murrelet

Brachyramphus marmoratus

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The ghost of the old-growth forest, the Marbled Murrelet is a mysterious seabird that links the deep Pacific to the ancient redwoods and firs.

0 Sightings

0 Habitats

Quick Identification

straighten

Size

Length: 24–25 cm (9.5–10 in), Wingspan: 38–41 cm (15–16 in), Weight: 190–270 g (6.7–9.5 oz)

palette

Colors

Mottled brown and white 'marbled' pattern during breeding season; non-breeding plumage is crisp blackish-gray above with white underparts and a white neck collar.

visibility

Key Features

Small, stocky seabird with a short, pointed bill
Cryptic brown-and-tan mottled breeding plumage
Fast, direct flight with very rapid wingbeats
White throat and belly visible in winter

When You’ll See Them

schedule

Activity pattern Most active at dawn and dusk

brightness_5

Peak hours 4-7 AM, 7-10 PM

calendar_month

Season April-August (Breeding season)

restaurant

Diet Small forage fish including Pacific sand lance, Pacific herring, and capelin, supplemented by krill and other marine invertebrates.

park

Habitat Nearshore marine waters for foraging; old-growth or mature coniferous forests with large mossy branches for nesting.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Marbled Murrelet Live?

The Marbled Murrelet is native to the North Pacific coast of North America, stretching from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to central California. This species occupies a narrow strip of coastline, rarely found more than a few miles out to sea or further than 50 miles inland during the breeding season. While the largest populations are found in Alaska and British Columbia, the isolated southern populations in Washington, Oregon, and California are of significant conservation concern due to fragmented habitat.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

2 Countries

2.4M km² Range

Endangered Conservation

US United States CA Canada

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

View on iNaturalist open_in_new

Explore more Birds arrow_forward

Behavior

The Marbled Murrelet is a bird of two worlds, spending most of its life on the open ocean but journeying miles inland to nest in the high canopies of ancient forests. Unlike most seabirds that nest in colonies on rocky cliffs, these birds are solitary nesters, often traveling up to 50 miles from the coast in the dark of pre-dawn to reach their secret nesting sites. They are famous for their 'keer-keer' calls, which can sometimes be heard echoing through the forest mist before they are even seen.

On the water, they are incredibly agile divers, using their wings to 'fly' underwater in search of small fish. They are generally shy and will dive quickly if approached by boats. Because they rely on old-growth forests for nesting—specifically large, moss-covered branches—they are highly sensitive to habitat loss and are considered a flagship species for the conservation of Pacific Northwest coastal ecosystems.

photo_camera EverydayEarth exclusive

Camera Tips

Capturing a Marbled Murrelet on camera is the ultimate challenge for a backyard or trail camera enthusiast. Because they nest high in the canopy of old-growth trees, a standard ground-level setup is unlikely to see them unless you live directly on a coastal bluff. To increase your chances, position cameras on high ridgelines or clearings within 50 miles of the Pacific coast that serve as known 'flight corridors.' Set your camera to a high-speed trigger and burst mode, as these birds fly at speeds exceeding 50 mph through the forest.

If you have access to a safe way to mount cameras high in the canopy (using professional arborists or specialized gear), aim for large, flat, moss-covered branches of Douglas-fir or Sitka Spruce. Murrelets do not build nests; they simply lay a single egg on a bed of moss. Because they only visit the nest during low-light hours (dawn and dusk), ensure your camera has excellent infrared capabilities or a fast enough sensor to handle twilight without excessive motion blur.

Audio is your best friend with this species. If your AI camera supports sound detection, listen for their high-pitched 'keer' calls. This is often the only way to know they are in the area. Since they are protected and highly sensitive to disturbance, never use baits or lures, and keep a respectful distance from any suspected nesting tree. The best seasonal window is between May and July when parents are actively flying fish from the ocean back to their chicks.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Marbled Murrelet.

Ancient Murrelet

Features a black throat patch and white head streaks during breeding; lacks the Marbled's white neck collar in winter.

Pigeon Guillemot

Much larger with bright red feet and a large white wing patch; lacks the cryptic forest-nesting behavior.

Common Murre

Significantly larger with a longer bill and more upright posture when bobbing on the water.

Browse all Birds arrow_forward

Frequently Asked Questions

Marbled Murrelets are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. They typically fly from the ocean to their inland forest nests under the cover of darkness or in the very early morning mist to avoid predators like jays and crows.

You cannot easily attract Marbled Murrelets with feeders, as they only eat live sea fish. However, if you live in a coastal area with old-growth trees, preserving mature conifers and minimizing loud noises during the spring nesting season can help make your property a safe passage for them.

Their diet consists primarily of 'forage fish' such as Pacific sand lance, herring, and smelt. They also consume small crustaceans like krill, diving deep into the ocean and using their wings to swim after prey.

No, they are quite rare in suburban settings. They require very specific habitats: cold, productive ocean waters for feeding and ancient, mossy forests for nesting. You might see them from suburban beaches in the Pacific Northwest, but they won't visit inland gardens.

In breeding plumage, Marbled Murrelets are brown and mottled, while Ancient Murrelets have a black throat and white 'eyebrows.' In winter, Marbled Murrelets show a distinct white collar that goes nearly around the neck, which is absent on the Ancient Murrelet.

Record Marbled Murrelet at your habitat

Connect a camera to start building your own species record — AI identifies every visitor automatically.

Join free Identify a photo