Guillemot

Uria aalge (Common guillemot), Common murre North America

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.

Where does it live?

Breeding

Breeds on narrow horizontal or sloping ledges on sheer cliffs, and on top of offshore rock stacks. The egg is cone-shaped as a cone-shaped object will roll in an arc helping to prevent it rolling off the cliff.

Wintering

Spends the winter out at sea.

What does it eat?

Fish and crustaceans

What does it sound like?

Loud whirring sound.

When to see it

From March to the end of July.