Page 231 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

SKUAS, GULLS,AND TERNS
Order Charadriiformes Family Alcidae Species Uria aalge
Guillemot sharp, dagger- dark brown to
like bill
black above
long
neck
white underparts,
short, rounded against swims low
square black throat
tail
ADULT (SUMMER)
black line through dark cap
upright eye on white face
posture ( juvenile similar)
ADULT
dark
rump with (SUMMER)
narrow
white sides
white trailing
edge
ADULT
IN FLIGHT
(SUMMER)
ADULT (WINTER)
uillemots, along
Gwith Kittiwakes, FLIGHT: low, fast, direct, little manoeuvrability;
usually dominate fast, almost whirring wingbeats; sweeps up to land
seabird colonies which on ledge.
densely pack ledges of sea cliffs
in summer. Guillemots swim offshore in large “rafts”
under the cliffs. Off headlands, they are often seen flying
by, low and fast. In winter, however, they are seen inshore
only during or after gales. In the south of their range,
they are quite brown and easily
distinguished from Razorbills;
northern birds are blacker and
more difficult to identify.
VOICE At colony, loud, LARGE FLOCKS
whirring, growling chorus, arrrr- Large flocks of Guillemots
rr-rr; juveniles make surprisingly swim on the sea under the
loud, musical whistle at sea. breeding colonies.
NESTING On bare ledge on LARGE COLONIES
sheer cliff; 1 egg; 1 brood; Guillemots crowd steep
May–June. coastal cliffs in the breeding
FEEDING Dives from surface to season; colonies are often
catch fish deep underwater. mixed with Razorbills.
SIMILAR SPECIES
OCCURRENCE
RAZORBILL BRUNNICH’S GUILLEMOT Breeds on rocky coasts of Iceland,
see p.230 see p.433 longer Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland,
flatter thicker, thicker bill wings NW France, Spain, and Portugal,
head blunter with white
bill streak chiefly on sheer cliffs, also on flat-
pointed smaller
tail topped stacks. Scarce inshore in
winter, even after gales.
MANX
SHEARWATER Seen in the UK
see p.67 J F M A M JJ A S O N D
. Length 38–54cm (15–21 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 64–73cm (25–29in) Weight 850–1,130g (30–40oz)
Social Small flocks Lifespan 10–20 years Status Secure
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