Auks Alcidae
Widely distributed in the mainly cold waters of the Northern Hemisphere, auks are the ecological counterpart of the Southern Hemisphere penguins. Members of this family are divided into 10 genera, of which 2 are described below. Of the 23 species, the Kittlitz's Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris is critically endangered and the Marbled Murrelet Brachyramphus marmoratus is endangered. In addition, 3 species are listed as vulnerable and another is near-threatened.



Cepphus

There are 3 species within this genus.

Pigeon Guillemots Cepphus columba are a common species of the north Pacific Ocean, ranging as far south as Japan, and southern California. These Pigeon Guillemots were photographed at Montana de Oro State Park, near Morro Bay, California.






Fratercula

There are 3 species within this genus.

Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica are a plump comical-looking seabird. They nest mainly in burrows on steep coastal cliffs, before dispersing out to the frigid North Atlantic waters for the winter. This Atlantic Puffin was collecting nesting materials at Bempton Cliff's, near Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.







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