Black guillemot

Common card · No. 467391

The black guillemot or tystie (Cepphus grylle), is a medium-sized seabird of the Alcidae family. It is found across northern Europe, the North Atlantic and parts of the Arctic, including the coasts of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, the British Isles, Scandinavia and Russia. It inhabits marine environments, including coastal and intertidal waters as well as offshore ocean habitats. The bird is resident in much of its range, but large populations from the high arctic migrate southwards in winter. The bird can be seen in and around its breeding habitat of rocky shores, cliffs and islands in single or small groups of pairs. They feed mainly by diving towards the sea floor feeding on fish, crustaceans or other benthic invertebrates. They are listed on the IUCN red list as a species of least concern. In breeding plumage, the black guillemot is predominantly black, with oval white wing patches and bright red legs. In autumn and winter, its plumage becomes largely off-white with dark markings, a darker...

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