Little auk (dovekie) — Alle alle

Appearance and adaptations

Little auks are small and robust with short wings, a chunky body and a short bill. In breeding plumage they are mostly black above and white below, with a rounded head. Their wing shape and strong flight suit a life of frequent flapping between feeding patches. They are excellent divers and use their wings to 'fly' underwater while pursuing small crustaceans and other planktonic prey. Their plumage and fat stores help them withstand cold Arctic waters and variable weather.

Distribution, subspecies and habitat

The species breeds on rocky islands and cliffs in the high Arctic region, often nesting in crevices or beneath stones. Two subspecies are generally recognised: A. a. alle, which breeds in parts of Greenland, Iceland, Novaya Zemlya and Spitsbergen, and A. a. polaris, found on Franz Josef Land. Outside the breeding season they disperse across northern seas, sometimes moving southward along ocean currents to wintering areas.

Diet and behavior

Little auks feed primarily on zooplankton, such as copepods and small amphipods, captured by shallow dives. They often feed in flocks and may follow productive upwellings or areas rich in plankton. On land, colonies are loud and active: birds form dense nesting aggregations, exchange brief calls and shuttle repeatedly to feeding grounds to provision their chicks.

Breeding, population and conservation

Breeding pairs lay a single egg, which both parents incubate and then feed the chick until it fledges. Globally the species is not currently regarded as critically endangered and is widespread across its Arctic range, but it is sensitive to changes in sea‑ice, prey distribution and temperature regimes. Climate change and shifts in marine food webs are regarded as important long‑term pressures on little auk populations.

Notable facts and distinctions

• Often called the dovekie because of its small size and dove‑like shape.
• One of the most numerous seabirds in some Arctic areas, where colonies can number in the thousands.
• Its reliance on cold‑water plankton makes it an indicator species for changes in Arctic marine ecosystems.

For further general information consult regional bird guides and conservation summaries that cover Arctic seabirds and the genus Alle. Additional resources on breeding sites and subspecies distribution are available through local research programs and monitoring initiatives.