Shorebirds and Seabirds of the Central California Coastline – Blog Series Post #4
From its rocky shoreline to the depths of the great Monterey Canyon, the Central California coastline and its offshore waters are home to a diverse array of interesting birds. Its habitat diversity and famous coastal cold-water upwelling currents are the secret to its exceptional avian population. In each blog post followers will enjoy my high-quality photographs while learning about the natural history of these interesting birds.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
WHAT’S IN A NAME
Rhinoceros Auklet – Cerorhinca monocerata
Gr. keras, horn; Gr. monos single; keratos horn
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Rhinoceros Auklet is a distinctive seabird with several unique physical characteristics. It features a striking appearance with a robust body, a thick, bright orange bill with a horn-like projection (the rhinoceros-like feature) above the eyes during the breeding season. In addition, it has dark gray to blackish plumage on its upperparts and a white underside. Their legs are set far back on their bodies, which makes them superb divers and swimmers, well-adapted to their oceanic lifestyle.
The Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) is a remarkable seabird with an intriguing natural history. These birds are primarily found in the North Pacific Ocean, nesting on rocky islands and cliffs along the coast. They are exceptional divers, using their strong wings to “fly” underwater in search of prey like fish and zooplankton.
One fascinating fact is that Rhinoceros Auklets are known to dig burrows in the soil or use natural cavities for nesting. They often nest in colonies, and the strong odor from their burrows has earned them the nickname “stinkbirds” among some researchers and observers. This odor serves a purpose, deterring potential predators from entering their nesting sites.
HABITAT MOST LIKELY TO BE ENCOUNTERED
Can be found close to shore and in bays and lagoons, but most occur more than a mile from shore.
Reflections of the Natural World 