Kittiwakes
The Kittiwake is a seabird and a member of the gull family. In north America it is known as Black-legged Kittiwake to differentiate it from Red-legged Kittiwake but in Europe it is usually known just as Kittiwake. The Kittiwake's name is derived from its call, a shrill "kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake".
The adult Kittiwake has a white head and body, grey back, grey wings tipped solid black, black legs and a yellow bill. In winter it acquires a dark grey smudge behind the eye and a grey hind-neck collar. At fledging, the juveniles differ from the adults in having a black "W" band across the length of the wings and whiter secondary and primary feathers behind the black "W", a black hind-neck collar and a black terminal band on the tail.
The Kittiwake breeds in large colonies on sheer coastal cliffs around the north Atlantic and north Pacific oceans, found most commonly in northern Europe and north America.
The Kittiwake is a fish feeder and it is more pelagic than other gulls outside the breeding season.
Date: 17th June 2024
Location: RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire
The adult Kittiwake has a white head and body, grey back, grey wings tipped solid black, black legs and a yellow bill. In winter it acquires a dark grey smudge behind the eye and a grey hind-neck collar. At fledging, the juveniles differ from the adults in having a black "W" band across the length of the wings and whiter secondary and primary feathers behind the black "W", a black hind-neck collar and a black terminal band on the tail.
The Kittiwake breeds in large colonies on sheer coastal cliffs around the north Atlantic and north Pacific oceans, found most commonly in northern Europe and north America.
The Kittiwake is a fish feeder and it is more pelagic than other gulls outside the breeding season.
Date: 17th June 2024
Location: RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire
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