Black Guillemot

Cepphus grylle

The Black Guillemot glides through Arctic waters, its striking black-and-white plumage a stark contrast against icy northern seas.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Black Guillemot showcases a striking seasonal plumage change. In summer, it sports a velvety black body with conspicuous white wing patches, complemented by vibrant red legs and feet. Their sharp, straight bills have a red inner lining.

Winter brings a dramatic transformation, with the bird adopting a mottled grey and white plumage. Juveniles resemble winter adults but with darker upperparts and less defined wing patches.

Size

Length

30cm to 32cm

Wingspan

52cm to 58cm

Weight

300g to 460g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Red

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Black Guillemot can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Black Guillemot is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Black Guillemots inhabit coastal areas across the northern Atlantic and Arctic regions. They prefer rocky shores, cliffs, and offshore islands, rarely venturing far from land. Their range includes the coasts of North America, Greenland, Iceland, and northern Europe.

In the UK, they are year-round residents along Scottish coasts and islands, with some populations in Northern Ireland and northern England. North American birds can be found from Alaska to New England, with some southward movement in winter.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 100 meters

Climate zones

Subarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Black Guillemot. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons