murrelet

Short definition: The word murrelet means a small seabird related to murres, unusual for nesting inland in forests, known for its compact body, fast wingbeats, and ability to dive underwater to catch fish near coastal waters.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word murrelet? This word usually appears in nature writing, birdwatching guides, and coastal wildlife discussions. A murrelet may sound unfamiliar at first, but it refers to a small, shy seabird with some unusual habits, especially when it comes to nesting far away from the ocean. Many people are surprised to learn that some murrelets raise their chicks deep in forests, not on sea cliffs. Below, each meaning is explained in a calm, natural style, with detailed definitions and long, realistic examples.

Forms: murrelet (singular), murrelets (plural)
Related: alcid n., seabird n., auk n.
Syllable: mur-re-let

1. (Noun) A small seabird related to auks, known for its compact body, short wings, and ability to dive underwater to catch fish.

   A murrelet is a small seabird that spends most of its life on the ocean, where it swims low in the water and dives beneath the surface to hunt for fish. Compared to puffins or larger auks, murrelets look more modest and understated, with softer coloring and a quieter presence. They are strong swimmers rather than graceful fliers, and they often disappear underwater so smoothly that you barely notice when they dive. Because of their size and behavior, murrelets are easy to miss unless you know exactly what to look for.

   From the shore, we could see a murrelet floating calmly on the water, then suddenly slipping beneath the surface to chase small fish.
   The guide explained that a murrelet might look plain from a distance, but up close you can see how perfectly built it is for life underwater.
   I watched the murrelet dive again and again, popping back up in a different spot each time, as if it were playing a quiet game with the waves.

   Synonyms: alcid, auk relative, seabird, diving seabird, marine bird, small auk, ocean bird, fish-diving bird, pelagic bird, coastal seabird, offshore bird, waterbird
   Antonyms: landbird, songbird, forest bird, garden bird, inland bird, desert bird, grassland bird, freshwater bird, farm bird, domestic bird, cage bird, aviary bird

2. (Noun) A seabird species famous for nesting far inland, sometimes high in old forests instead of near the sea.

   One of the most surprising things about a murrelet is where it nests. Some species, especially in the Pacific Northwest, fly many kilometers inland to lay their eggs on mossy branches of old-growth trees. This behavior is unusual for seabirds and has made murrelets an important symbol in conservation discussions. When people mention murrelets in this sense, they are often talking about habitat protection and the link between oceans and forests.

   It felt strange to hear that a murrelet, a bird we usually associate with the sea, was nesting deep inside the forest.
   Scientists tracked a murrelet flying inland at dawn, heading straight toward the old trees where it would lay its egg.
   The loss of ancient forests has made it harder for the murrelet to find safe nesting places away from predators.

   Synonyms: forest-nesting seabird, inland-nesting alcid, old-growth bird, tree-nesting seabird, woodland seabird, conservation species, habitat-sensitive bird, forest-dependent seabird, nesting alcid, rare seabird, protected species, indicator species
   Antonyms: cliff nester, beach nester, ground nester, urban bird, city-adapted bird, rooftop nester, barn bird, coastal-only bird, shoreline breeder, open-nest bird, human-adapted bird, synanthropic bird

3. (Noun) A quiet and hard-to-spot bird often used as a symbol of fragile ecosystems and environmental balance.

   Because murrelets are shy, scarce, and closely tied to both ocean and forest health, the word murrelet is often used in environmental writing. In this sense, it represents how delicate natural systems can be, and how damage in one area can affect life far away. Writers and researchers may mention the murrelet not just as a bird, but as evidence of whether an ecosystem is still functioning well. Seeing or not seeing murrelets can say a lot about the health of an entire region.

   The disappearance of the murrelet from the area was seen as a warning sign that something deeper was wrong with the ecosystem.
   Conservationists often talk about the murrelet because protecting it also protects forests, rivers, and coastal waters.
   Spotting a murrelet during the survey gave the team hope that the habitat was still recovering.

   Synonyms: indicator species, conservation symbol, ecosystem marker, environmental indicator, sensitive species, wildlife signal, habitat indicator, ecological symbol, rare wildlife, protected bird, vulnerable species, biodiversity marker
   Antonyms: invasive species, overabundant species, pest species, resilient generalist, adaptable wildlife, urban-tolerant animal, common species, widespread bird, dominant species, human-dependent species, hardy animal, opportunistic species

4. (Noun) (By extension) A name used in education, tourism, and branding to suggest untouched nature and coastal wilderness.

   Outside biology, murrelet sometimes appears in names of nature programs, eco-tours, and educational projects. In this usage, the word is chosen not just for the bird itself, but for what it represents: quiet wilderness, clean water, and protected forests. Using the name murrelet often signals that a project or place values conservation and a close connection to natural landscapes. It works as a gentle but powerful symbol of environmental care.

   The eco-lodge called itself “The murrelet,” clearly aiming to associate the place with unspoiled forests and nearby coastal waters.
   Their education program used the murrelet as a mascot to teach children about how forests and oceans depend on each other.
   Seeing the murrelet logo on the brochure made it clear that the tour focused on wildlife rather than mass tourism.

   Synonyms: wildlife emblem, conservation symbol, nature icon, eco-brand, environmental logo, seabird emblem, wilderness symbol, coastal icon, habitat mascot, nature-themed name, biodiversity symbol, eco-identity
   Antonyms: corporate logo, industrial symbol, abstract branding, non-nature name, generic brand, commercial icon, urban emblem, tech logo, artificial symbol, mass-market branding, factory image, non-ecological theme