Species › Birds › Marbled Murrelet

Marbled Murrelet

Brachyramphus marmoratus

UncommonBird
Illustration of Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus)

The Marbled Murrelet is a threatened seabird with one of the most unusual nesting habits of any bird — it nests in old-growth forest, laying a single egg on a moss-covered branch up to 50 miles from the sea. Loss of old-growth forests has caused severe population declines. Its first confirmed North American nest was not found until 1974.

Habitat
Old-growth coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest for nesting; nearshore ocean for foraging
Diet
Small fish and invertebrates caught in dives
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Marbled Murrelet

The best time to see a Marbled Murrelet is May–August, when about 70% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,692 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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