Quick Facts

Scientific name:  Uria aalgae

Size:  Up to 46cm.  Wingspan up to 73cm

Distribution:  Can be found around many parts of the UK coast, notably; Banff, Thurso, the Orkneys, the Shetlands, the Pembrokeshire coast, Skomer, Ramsey, Holyhead, Rathlin Island, Cornwall, Lundy, Yorkshire and the Farnes

Months seen:  All year, but easier to see when they are nesting from March to August

Life Span: Up to 20 years

Habitat:  Coastal cliffs

Food:  Fish, squid, sandeels, molluscs and crustaceans

Special features:  Guillemots are members of the Auk family of birds, and when standing upright you can see they are about the closest thing we have in the UK to a penguin.

They have a slim, pointed, black bill, a short tail, and their plumage is dark brown above and white below.  Some Guillemots have a white ring around each eye and a white line running back from the eye down the sides of the head (like a pair of spectacles).  These birds are known as 'Bridled Guillemots'.

While they're not especially mobile on land they are fast fliers and superb swimmers.  They catch their food by diving and use their wings for propulsion underwater.

Related Pages

• UK Safari Birds Section
• Identify other wildlife
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