How Do You Spell LITTLE AUK?

Pronunciation: [lˈɪtə͡l ˈɔːk] (IPA)

The spelling of "little auk" may seem straightforward, but its pronunciation is tricky. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is /ˈlɪtəl ɔk/. The initial sound is the "li" blend, followed by the short "i" sound. The "t" and "l" sounds are pronounced separately but quickly. The "ə" sound is like a short "uh," followed by the "l" sound again. Finally, the word ends with the "aw" sound and a hard "k." Despite its small size, the little auk's phonetic spelling requires careful enunciation.

LITTLE AUK Meaning and Definition

1. The "little auk" is a seabird species scientifically known as Alle alle. It is a small seabird belonging to the family of auks (Alcidae) and is also commonly referred to as the dovekie, rotgut, or little sea dove. It is found primarily in the cold, northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting the Arctic and sub-Arctic areas. The little auk is widely recognized for its petite size, measuring approximately 20-25 centimeters in length and weighing around 150 grams.

   The plumage of the little auk is predominantly black, with a white underbelly and a distinctive white patch behind the eye. It possesses short wings, making it an agile flyer and an accomplished diver capable of reaching the depths of the sea to forage for food. The diet of the little auk consists mainly of small fish, crustaceans, and zooplankton.

   During the breeding season, little auks gather in large colonies on coastal cliffs or rocky islands. They construct their nests in crevices or on rocky ledges. The breeding pairs typically lay a single egg, which is incubated by both parents in alternating shifts. These birds exhibit strong fidelity to their nesting areas, returning annually to the same sites.

   Due to their small size and limited flying capability, little auks are vulnerable to predation by larger seabirds, such as gulls and skuas. Climate change and alterations in the availability of their prey due to ocean warming and acidification present additional threats to their populations. Nonetheless, the little auk remains an integral part of the Arctic ecosystem, playing a significant role in the marine food chain.

Common Misspellings for LITTLE AUK

• kittle auk
• pittle auk
• oittle auk
• luttle auk
• ljttle auk
• lkttle auk
• lottle auk
• l9ttle auk
• l8ttle auk
• lirtle auk
• liftle auk
• ligtle auk
• liytle auk
• li6tle auk
• li5tle auk
• litrle auk
• litfle auk
• litgle auk
• lityle auk

Etymology of LITTLE AUK

The word "little auk" derives from the combination of two separate terms: "little" and "auk".

1. "Little": The word "little" originated from the Old English word "lytel", which means "small in size". It has remained in use and relatively unchanged throughout the centuries across different Germanic languages.

2. "Auk": The word "auk" refers to a type of seabird belonging to the Alcidae family. This term is a variation of the Old Norse word "álka", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*alkǭ". It is believed that "auk" was derived from imitative medieval European words used to describe the bird's call.

Therefore, when combined, the term "little auk" simply refers to a small species of auk, which is a seabird in the genus Alle.

Similar spelling words for LITTLE AUK

• Little Joe,
• little ego,
• littlejohn,
• little girl,
• little skate,
• little John,
• little slam,
• little egret,
• littles,
• littlest,
• little sister,
• little grebe.