Cerorhinca monocerata
Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~30%
The rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) is a seabird and a close relative of the puffins. It is the only extant species of the genus Cerorhinca. Given its close relationship with the puffins, the common name rhinoceros puffin has been proposed for the species.
It ranges widely across the North Pacific, feeding on small fish and nesting in colonies. Its name is derived from a horn-like extension of the beak (the anatomic term for this extension is the rhamphotheca). This horn is only present in breeding adults, and like the elaborate sheath on the bill of puffins is shed every year. This horn also possesses fluorescent properties, which is likely involved in reproductive signalling.
The rhinoceros auklet (also known as the rhino auklet, horn-billed puffin, or unicorn puffin), is a medium-sized auk with a large, strong, orange/brown bill (with the 'horn' protruding from it). The plumage is dark on top and paler below; breeding adults (both male and female) possess white plumes above the eyes and behind the bill. Males are slightly larger than females (about 10% in mass).
The rhinoceros auklet is a North Pacific auk that breeds from California (the Channel Islands... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenai Fjords National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Great Bear Rainforest | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 3 | Olympic National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Pacific Rim National Park Reserve | 🇨🇦 Canada | |
| 5 | Channel Islands National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Redwood National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | San Diego | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | San Francisco | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Los Angeles | 🇺🇸 United States |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon Coast Aquarium | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Alaska SeaLife Center | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Seattle Aquarium | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Seattle Marine Aquarium | 🇺🇸 United States |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Rhinoceros Auklet sighting in Seattle on a given day, based on 3,698 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 84th most-seen of the 271 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
July and September–January
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Rhinoceros Auklet in Seattle on a given day, against under 5% in February–June and August, the lowest months.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Rhinoceros Auklet sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 4 cities where we can rate Rhinoceros Auklet sightings, Seattle has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come San Diego (United States, under 5%) and San Francisco (United States, under 5%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Rhinoceros Auklet is recorded against all the birds logged in Seattle (3,698 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
