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  • Guillemot

Guillemot

Guillemot (summer plumage)
Guillemot (summer plumage)
Guillemot (in flight)
Guillemot (in flight)
Guillemot (winter plumage)
Guillemot (winter plumage)
  • Scientific name: Uria aalge
  • Bird family: Auks
  • UK conservation status: Amber
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Your browser does not support this audio feature.

Key information

The UK's coasts have many stretches of sheer cliffs where seabirds breed and the guillemot is one of the most numerous birds in the great 'seabird cities'. It comes to land only to nest, spending the rest of its life at sea, where it is vulnerable to oil spills. Dark brown and white, not as black as the similar razorbill, it has a 'bridled' form with a white ring round the eye and stripe behind it.

What they eat:

Fish and crustaceans

Measurements:

Length:
38-45cm
Wingspan:
64-73cm
Weight:
850-1,130 g

Population:

UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.
UK breeding:
950,000 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Guillemot (summer plumage)

Guillemot illustration
Feather colour: Black Brown White
Leg colour: Black
Beak: Black Medium length Powerful Medium thickness
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal

Guillemot (winter plumage)

Guillemot in winter
Feather colour: Black Brown White
Leg colour: Black
Beak: Black Medium length Powerful Medium thickness
Natural habitats: Marine and intertidal

Similar birds:

Razorbill, summer plumage
Razorbill
Black guillemot, breeding plumage
Black guillemot
Puffin, adult in summer plumage
Puffin
Little auk swimming
Little auk

Where and when to see them

Guillemot are found on small areas of cliffs on the south coast of England, very locally on the coasts and islands of Wales and in a handful of places in the north of England and Northern Ireland. More widely spread on cliffs of Scotland. RSPB nature reserves such as Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, Fowlsheugh in Grampian and Marwick Head in Orkney have large colonies. In winter it is widespread around UK coasts but usually well offshore. It is sometimes seen inshore after gales or passing by longer headlands.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Guillemot distribution map

Guillemots are best seen at the nesting colonies, from March to the end of July.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Rathlin Island
  • RSPB North Hill
  • RSPB South Stack Cliffs
  • RSPB St Bees Head
  • RSPB Troup Head
  • RSPB Mull of Galloway
  • RSPB Marwick Head
  • RSPB Sumburgh Head
  • RSPB Bempton Cliffs
  • RSPB Noup Cliffs
  • RSPB Fowlsheugh
  • RSPB Ramsey Island
  • RSPB Dunnet Head

Video

Guillemot gathered on rocks.

Guillemot gathered on rocks.

Guillemot video screenshot

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