Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)

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A Field Guide to Eastern Birds. by Roger Tory Peterson.

Return to Eastern Alcids

Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)

Identification: Length from tip of bill to tip of tail 13 inches.

Summer Plumage: Coloration all black except for a large white wing patch. Bill narrow. Legs bright red.

Winter Plumage: Head, neck, breast, and undersides white. Back white streaked with dark gray. Wings with a large white patch and tips of wings black.

Similar Species:  The large white wing patch easily separates this species from all other eastern North American alcids. The most similar North American species is the Pigeon Guillemot from the western coast of North America. Both plumages of the Pigeon Guillemot are similar to the Black Guillemot, but have black bars or markings in the white wing patch.

Breeding Range (see map below): The Black Guillemot breeds on the rocky cliffs and shores of the northern regions of North America from New England in the east and south, northward along the Atlantic Coast to the far northern Canadian islands. The species also breeds on the northern coast of Alaska. This species also occurs in northern Europe.

Overwintering Range:  Outside of the breeding season this species spends most of its time on the open ocean in the vicinity of its breeding areas.

Habitat: The Black Guillemot spends its breeding season on rocky cliffs and shores.

Food: Fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Behavior: The Black Guillemot has a habit of repeatedly dipping its bill into the water. This species is not as pelagic as other alcids and is less gregarious during the nesting season.

Reproduction:  The clutch consists of 2 brown-spotted white eggs. The eggs are laid on bare ground, either under overhanging rocks or on pebble beaches.