Black Guillemot
Cepphus grylle
The Black Guillemot is a rare but striking visitor to Britain's coastal waters, typically seen during the summer months in the northern and western regions, particularly in Scotland and Ireland. It can be spotted in rocky areas, harbours, and islands, where it breeds and feeds on marine prey.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Black Guillemot in the field.
The Black Guillemot's distinctive red legs and feet, black body with white wing patches, and upright posture make it a recognizable species at a glance. Its black head and white patches on the inner wings are also key identification features.
The Black Guillemot is slightly larger than a Puffin, with a length of around 32-38 cm, making it a medium-sized seabird.
The male Black Guillemot has a glossy black plumage with white patches on the inner wings, and a distinctive red bill and legs, with no significant seasonal variation in its appearance.
The female Black Guillemot is similar to the male in terms of plumage, with the same black and white colouration, although her bill and legs may be slightly less brightly coloured.
The Black Guillemot's call is a low, grunting "ank-ank-ank" or a sharp "kyek-kyek-kyek", often heard in a series of repetitive phrases.
Black Guillemots are social birds that feed on small fish, crustaceans, and marine invertebrates, often diving from the surface or swimming underwater to catch their prey, and they can be seen flying low over the water with rapid wingbeats.
The Black Guillemot can be confused with the Guillemot, but it can be distinguished by its red legs and feet, and its white wing patches, which are more pronounced than those of the Guillemot, as well as its more upright posture when perched.
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