Basic Description
The Rhinoceros Auklet, known scientifically as Cerorhinca monocerata, is a seabird species that belongs to the family Alcidae. This bird is named after its unique horn-like appendage on its beak, which grows during the breeding season and falls off afterward. The Rhinoceros Auklet has a stout body, large head, and short neck.
Where To Find This Bird
This seabird can be found along the North Pacific coast from California up to Alaska in the United States; it also breeds in Russia and Japan.
Habitat
Rhinoceros Auklets inhabit rocky coastal cliffs located near shallow waters or bays where they feed. During breeding season (from April through August), these birds prefer nesting on small islands close to their feeding grounds. After breeding season ends, they migrate offshore into open ocean water.
Food
Their diet mainly consists of fish and crustaceans such as krill, anchovies, herring sand lance among others depending on what’s available.; they are skilled divers who can dive up to 100 meters beneath water surface to catch prey with their strong hooked bill.
Cool Facts
One interesting fact about this bird is that when hunting for food underwater they have been observed using sound waves instead of sight because it allows them more accuracy while diving at high speeds! Another cool thing about these birds is that both male and female share incubation duties as well as rearing chicks once hatched out of eggs laid by females between June and July each year – this shows incredible parental care!
In conclusion, the Rhinoceros Auklet may not be one of the most popularly known birds around but it definitely has admirable characteristics worth learning about! With its unique horn-like appearance and impressive diving abilities, this seabird is a fascinating species to watch out for while exploring coastal regions of the Pacific.
