The UK's coasts have many stretches of sheer cliffs where seabirds breed and the guillemot is one of the most numerous birds in the great 'seabird cities'. It comes to land only to nest, spending the rest of its life at sea, where it is vulnerable to oil spills. Dark brown and white, not as black as the similar razorbill, it has a 'bridled' form with a white ring round the eye and stripe behind it.
Key ID Features
The summer dark chocolate brown upper parts, head and long neck contrast with the white underparts.
Sharp dagger like bill and dark eye with very upright posture.
Winter adults are blacker above with white throat and cheeks through which runs a black line.
Bridled subspecies has white eye ring extending to a line along upper cheek.
Overview
Scientific name: Uria aalge
Family: Auks (Alcidae)
Where to see them:
Found on small areas of cliffs on the south coast of England, very locally on the coasts and islands of Wales and in a handful of places in the north of England and Northern Ireland; more widely spread on cliffs of Scotland. RSPB nature reserves such as Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, Fowlsheugh in Grampian and Marwick Head in Orkney have large colonies. In winter it is widespread around UK coasts but usually well offshore. It is sometimes seen inshore after gales or passing by longer headlands.
Seen in UK:
Guillemots are best seen at the nesting colonies, from March to the end of July.
What they eat
Fish and crustaceans.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Location: Portland Harbour, Dorset
Photographer: Tim Tapley
