| Ancient murrelet | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Charadriiformes |
| Family: | Alcidae |
| Genus: | Synthliboramphus |
| Species: | S. antiquus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Synthliboramphus antiquus (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
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| Subspecies | |
| |
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Breeding Year-round Nonbreeding
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The ancient murrelet (Synthliboramphus antiquus) is a bird in the auk family. The English term "murrelet" is a diminutive of "murre", a word of uncertain origins, but which may imitate the call of the common guillemot.[2][3] Ancient murrelets are called "ancient" because they have grey on the back like a shawl, as worn by the elderly.[4]
- ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Synthliboramphus antiquus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22694896A132580015. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22694896A132580015.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Murrelet". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ "Murre". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
- ^ Attenborough, D. 1998. The Life of Birds. BBC Books. ISBN 0563-38792-0.