Mysterious Marbled Murrelet

The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small Pacific seabird listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in California, Oregon, and Washington. Rarely seen by humans, they spend the majority of their lives at sea foraging, resting, and mating. For years, ornithologists did not know where this mysterious bird nested. It wasn't until 1974 that the first Marbled Murrelet nest was discovered in North America. Generally, they nest in coastal old-growth forests, characterized by large trees with multiple canopy layers and moderate to high canopy closure.

Thanks to the USFWS for sharing this video!