Scientific name: Fratercula arctica (Linnaeus, 1758)
Bird group: Auks
Field characters. 29 cm. Rather small auk, but less so as Little Auk. Unmistakable. Black above and white below, like most other auks, but with orange legs and a white face with a large triangular, orange, blue and yellow bill. In winter obtains dusky face and less deep, more dull-coloured bill. Face of juvenile very dark; bill small, dark, becoming more colourful and larger when the bird grows older. Flight fast, low above the water, like other auks, but underwings blacker than these.
Voice. A low and moaning 'orrr', only heard at colonies.
Distribution. Numerous in the north.
Habitat. Breeds in huge colonies on top of cliffs in self-made burrows, or under boulders. Winters at sea.
Food. Fish and some crustaceans.