Dovekie
Alle alle
Written by Chris Coyle
The smallest member of the auk family, they are sea-going birds of the North Atlantic. Dovekies are also known as Little Auks.
Alastair Rae from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0HABITAT:
Dovekies can only alight from water and therefore are found only in the sea except during the breeding season. They seek warmer coastal waters in winter if ice is encountered in their usual areas. They may be found as far south as New England and even New Jersey.
NESTING:
They nest in large colonies on deserted rocky islands. Only one egg is laid and both parents take part in its incubation. The young normally leave the nest toward darkness or at night. They fly out to sea either alone or with their parents.
BEHAVIOR:
Swim in small flocks in open sea. Dovekies are occasionally found far inland after becoming disoriented following a storm. Their flight is direct, with fast whirring wing beats due to their short wings.
FOOD:
Fish, crustaceans, and bits of algae. They forage underwater by diving and swimming.
PREDATORS:
Glaucous Gulls and Arctic Foxes are the main predators of Dovekies. They are especially prone to predation when on land nesting. Small mammals will try to eat the eggs. Dovekies lack a fear of humans which can lead to their easy capture.