Black Guillemot Identification

Black Guillemot Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Medium-sized black-and-white seabird with a thin and sharp bill. Note red legs.

© Christoph Moning | Macaulay LibrarySvalbard, June 09, 2015
Black Guillemot Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Nonbreeding birds in the high arctic (mandtii subspecies) are whiter overall than nonbreeding birds in the Atlantic.

© Alvan Buckley | Macaulay LibraryNewfoundland and Labrador, February 19, 2017
Black Guillemot Breeding adults
Breeding adults

Forages by diving, using its wings to propel itself underwater. Catches fish, worms, and other prey from near the bottom.

© DAVID BROWN | Macaulay LibraryNunavut, June 10, 2005
Black Guillemot Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Potbellied black seabird with white underwings bordered in black.

© Louis Bevier | Macaulay LibraryMaine, July 17, 2017
Black Guillemot Nonbreeding
Nonbreeding

Nonbreeding birds have whitish heads and underparts.

© Christoph Moning | Macaulay LibraryNorðurland eystra, March 02, 2014
Black Guillemot Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Nests on rocky coastlines.

© Herb Elliott | Macaulay LibraryNova Scotia, July 13, 2017
Black Guillemot Breeding adult
Breeding adult

Black seabird with white wing patches and bright red legs and feet. Forages in waters close to shore.

© Heidi Krajewsky | Macaulay LibrarySvalbard, July 08, 2017
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Adult Description

  • Medium-sized to small waterbird.
  • Thin, straight bill.
  • Large white wing patches.
  • Bright red feet.
  • Relatively long, thick neck.
  • All black with white wing patches in summer.
  • Mostly white with dusky back in winter.

Immature Description

Similar to nonbreeding adult, but with more mottling on head and neck, and black markings breaking the white wing patches.
Relative Size

Relative Sizecrow sizedcrow-sized
Measurements
  • Both Sexes
    • Length: 11.8-12.6 in (30-32 cm)
    • Weight: 11.3-17.1 oz (320-485 g)
    • Wingspan: 20.5-22.8 in (52-58 cm)