Black Guillemot

A red-footed auk of rocky shores and some harbours.

A recording has not been added yet. Use the identification notes below for now.

I know this bird · Record a sighting Where to look & how to find it ↓

FIELDCRAFT · FIND WITH CARE

Finding guide

Habitat first

Choose the season, find the habitat, then watch patiently. Search guidance is not a measure of rarity or conservation status.

When to go: All year
Where to start: Safe coastal paths, harbours and rocky shores exposed at low tide.
What to do when you arrive: From public rocky-shore and harbour paths, scan inshore water and rocks. White wing patches stand out in summer; winter plumage is paler. Do not inspect crevices.

Habitat and behaviour reference: BirdWatch Ireland ↗ · The practical steps are editorial advice based on the references, not live sightings.

SPECIES NOTESSpecies notes

How to identify it

Breeding adults are black with large white wing patches and red feet. Winter birds become mostly white with mottled dark upperparts. Slender straight bill unlike Razorbill's deep bill.

Habitat

Rocky coasts, intertidal rocks and harbours.

Behaviour

Dives near shore for fish and nests in rock crevices or harbour cavities.

When to look

All year

Where to look

Safe coastal paths, harbours and rocky shores exposed at low tide.

Reference photos do not show every sex, age, season or geographic form; use the identification notes too.

Further reading:BirdWatch Ireland ↗ · Wikipedia ↗

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