Image via Macaulay Library
Japanese Murrelet
- Scientific name
- Synthliboramphus wumizusume
- Family
- Alcidae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Aquatic ocean
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Rounded
Where it came from
The Japanese Murrelet is a rare seabird endemic to the islands of Japan, first described by Coenraad Jacob Temminck in the 1830s. Evolutionarily distinct within the auk family, this species occupies a narrow ecological niche, nesting in the crevices of rocky offshore islets. Its life history is shaped by its nocturnal habits, as the birds typically return to their nesting burrows only under the cover of darkness to avoid predatory gulls, a survival strategy that has made them elusive subjects for ornithological study.
The physical design of the Japanese Murrelet is highly specialized for its marine environment. It possesses a distinctively pointed wing shape that facilitates rapid, efficient flight over open water, paired with a rounded tail that aids in maneuverability during its brief arrivals and departures from cliffside nesting grounds. Conservationists and biologists emphasize that the species is currently threatened by habitat loss and the encroachment of invasive predators, leading to significant international interest in protecting its limited breeding grounds across the Izu and Seven Islands.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Japanese Murrelet
Japanese Murrelet is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Japanese Murrelet on collecto.rs?
Japanese Murrelet doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Japanese Murrelet?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Japanese Murrelet catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Japanese Murrelet is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
