Black Guillemot

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Seabirds | Alcids | Black Guillemot

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Black Guillemot

Cepphus grylle

Back Guillemot
The Black Guillemot frequently seen on the east coast is hard to distinguish from the Pigeon Guillemot of the west coast. Both are black with striking white wing patches and hard to miss bright red feet and legs. Both nest in rocky crevices and often sit on offshore rocks as the three are doing in the photograph by Emmalee Tarry above.

I remember sitting atop a cliff in Nova Scotia watching what looked like white butterflies flying below. The butterflies were the white wing patches of Black Guillemot's.

Photo by Leonard Medlock and used with his permission.

Where To See
Black Guillemots are easy to see in breeding plumage on the coast of Maine and Nova Scotia. They are frequently seen close to shore off Andrews Point in winter plumage, In late winter they may be seen acquiring their breeding plumage.

In winter plumage the Black Guillemot is an entirely different looking bird with gray and white plumage as shown in these two photos by Leonard Medlock. Look for the white patch on the wing.