Dovekies (Alle alle)

Dovekies belong to the family Alcidae which includes Guillemots, Murres, Razorbills, Murrelets, Auklets and Puffins. Alcids are pelagic birds (birds that spend most of their time out at sea). They come ashore only to nest or when they are exhausted, or ill. Birds belonging to Alcidae have black feathers on their backs and white feathers on their bellies. This coloration helps to camouflage them from their prey. Recently a series of storms have blown a large number of Dovekies, Alle alle, to the southern part of their winter range and inshore.

There have been many reports of stranded, starving birds, most likely the result of sustained, easterly gale-force winds. These winds have pushed the birds toward the coast. These small (average about 160 grams) auks are driven to exhaustion and emaciation.

Compromised individuals have been found on the streets of Eastern Long Island, West Islip, and even as far inland as Deer Park! The largest wreck of Dovekies to date was during a severe weather event in 1933. Reports of Dovekies were noted from the streets of Manhattan. Unfortunately the efforts of our rehabilitation team were unsuccessful in nursing these severely emaciated birds back to health.