Key information
Kittiwakes are gentle looking, medium-sized gulls with a small yellow bill and a dark eye. They have a grey back with white underneath. Their legs are short and black. In flight the black wing-tips show no white, unlike other gulls, and look as if they have been 'dipped in ink'. The population is declining in some areas, perhaps due to a shortage of sandeels. After breeding birds move out into the Atlantic where they spend the winter.
What they eat:
Fish, shrimps and worms.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 38-40cm
- Wingspan:
- 95-110cm
- Weight:
- 300-500g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 380,000 pairs
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Kittiwake (adult summer plumage)
Kittiwake (juvenile)
