Brunnich’s Guillemot
Uria lomvia
The Brunnich's Guillemot is a rare visitor to Britain, typically seen in the northern islands, particularly during the winter months when it can be spotted in small numbers. It is more commonly associated with the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, making any sighting in Britain a notable event.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Brunnich’s Guillemot in the field.
At a glance, the Brunnich's Guillemot can be identified by its black and white colouration, thick bill, and distinctive white patches on its wings. Its upright posture and black head with a white stripe above the eye are also key distinguishing features.
The Brunnich's Guillemot is slightly larger than a Black Guillemot, but smaller than a Common Gull.
The male Brunnich's Guillemot has a black back and white belly, with a white wing patch and a black head with a white stripe above the eye, showing little seasonal variation in its plumage.
Similar to the male, the female Brunnich's Guillemot exhibits the same black and white colouration, making the sexes difficult to distinguish based on plumage alone.
The Brunnich's Guillemot has a distinctive, low-pitched call that sounds like a grunt or a low murmur, often heard at breeding colonies or when the bird is alarmed.
Brunnich's Guillemots are skilled divers, feeding on fish, crustaceans, and other marine animals in the open sea, and are known for their agile flight and ability to dive to great depths in pursuit of prey.
The Brunnich's Guillemot can be confused with the Common Guillemot, but can be distinguished by its thicker bill and white wing patches, as well as its more upright posture when standing on land or ice.
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