What does dovekie mean?
The dovekie (Alle alle), called the little auk in British English, is the smallest member of the auk family found in the Atlantic. Barely twenty centimetres long, this compact black-and-white bird breeds in enormous colonies on cliffs across the high Arctic—from Greenland to Svalbard and Arctic Canada—and then spends the winter far out at sea or along northern coasts, sometimes appearing as far south as the northeastern United States in storms. It flies on whirring wings, swims expertly underwater chasing tiny crustaceans, and forms dense flocks that wheel together over cold waters. The North American name combines "dove" with the affectionate suffix "-ie," a nod to its small size and plump shape. For birders, an out-of-range dovekie after a gale is a prized find.
nounA small black-and-white seabird of the auk family, breeding in the high Arctic and wintering farther south along northern coasts.
- A small Arctic seabird (Alle alle) of the auk family, known in British English as the little auk.
"From the rocky cliff we watched a flock of dovekies wheel and dive into the frigid sea."
"Thousands of dovekies overwintered in the polynyas off Newfoundland."
"Inuit hunters have long taken the dovekie for food and its skins for clothing."
Regular plural; also used collectively without change when referring to the species in general.
"We counted dozens of dovekies rafting offshore."
The dovekie is the smallest seabird in the Atlantic—yet it survives winters on the open ocean where few other birds dare to go.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dovekie
The word "dovekie" is of North American origin, combining "dove"—from Old English *dūfe*—with the familiar diminutive suffix "-ie." The name reflects the bird's small size and plump, gentle appearance. It has been in use since at least the eighteenth century among naturalists working in North America, alongside the older European name "little auk."
How dovekie is actually used
"Dovekie" is the standard North American name; "little auk" is the usual British term.
Easily confused with dovekie
The pigeon guillemot is a much larger auk with red feet and a distinctive wing patch, whereas the dovekie is the smallest Atlantic auk.