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Black-legged Kittiwake

Rissa tridactyla

Black-legged Kittiwake adult winter plumage by Jim Wallius

Kittiwakes are usually seen in winter plumage from land or sea. Photo by Jim Wallius and used with his permission. All photos remain the property of the photographer.

What's In The Name
The Kittiwake was named for its 3 syllable call which sounds like "Keep Away" or "Kitti Wake". Also called "frost gull" or "winter gull" because it appears in New England waters in winter.

Distribution
Breeds in northern hemisphere. Greenland, Iceland, British Isles, Newfoundland, far northern Canada, Alaska, Siberia.In winter moves south to winter off the coast of North Africa, North America on both coasts..

Highly persecuted by humans. Eggs taken and birds shot for food. Relief from human persecution has resulted in increasing numbers.

Where To See
In late fall and winter pelagic trips or from land look for first year or adult winter plumage birds. Breeding birds can be seen at Cape St. Mary in Newfoundland, Bonaventure Island in Gaspe, and Bird Island in Nova Scotia.

Feeding
Feeds mainly by picking from the surface. Adept scavenger in harbors and behind fishing boats.(Grant 1982). Does not prey on other birds.

Winter Adult
Late fall and winter you are likely to see non-breeding adult birds from boat trips or from land. Notice the all black wing tips with no white windows, and all white tail. Dusky markings on head and collar.
Black-legged Kittiwake Jim Wallius
Winter plumage Kittiwakes photographed by Jim Wallius on Jeffreys Ledge.		 Adult Black-legged Kitttiwake Jim Wallius
Adult Black-legged Kittiwake Jim Wallius IWinter plumage Kittiwake on beach- Steve Mirick Kittiwakes are not usually seen on land in winter. This photograph of winter plumage adult Kittiwake on the beach at Race Point by Steve Mirick and used with his permission.

Breeding
In breeding plumage, the Kittiwake's head is all white and bill yellow. Nests are built on narrow ledges of high cliffs.



The bird on the left has a chick while the one on the right is incubating two eggs. Notice the ledge is just barely wide enough for the nests. Photographed at Cape St. Mary by Emmalee Tarry.


The cliff below the nests is stained white by the wash. Large guano deposits are not built up where there the rain washes it into the sea.
Immature Kittiwake
Large numbers of immature kittiwakes came be seen on Stellwagen Bank and other offshore locations during late August and September. When flying the immature Kittiwake show a black "M" mark on the wing which is some times confused with the pattern on Sabine's Gull.
Black-legged Kittiwake immature - Steve Mirick

Immature Black-legged Kittiwake - Steve Mirick


Immature kittiwakes photographed on Cashes Ledge by Steve Mirick. Notice black bill, black markings on head, black collar, and black "M" mark on the wing of sitting bird.
Immature Black-legged Kittiwake - Steve Mirick Black "M"
In flight the immature Kittiwake displays the black "M" , mark on the wings. Photo by Steve Mirick
Seabirds | Gulls
Page author: Emmalee Tarry