Guillemot

The Common Guillemot is a chocolate-brown seabird with a slim, pointed bill that sets it apart from the Razorbill, which has a thicker bill. During the breeding season, the head and upper parts are dark brown, standing out clearly against the bright white underparts. Some birds have a noticeable white ring around the eye and a white stripe, called the bridled form, which is more often seen in northern groups. In winter, the throat and cheeks turn white. Guillemots nest on cliff ledges along the coasts of Britain and Ireland. They gather in large, crowded groups and lay a single egg directly on the bare rock. Outside the breeding season, they spread out across the North Atlantic and spend their time at sea. They are skilled divers, chasing fish underwater by using their wings to swim, often diving deeper than thirty metres. Their deep, growling calls can be heard around the breeding cliffs during spring and summer.