In alternate plumage, adults are black with a broad white wing patch, red legs, and a slender bill. In basic plumage, mostly white with black flight feathers and mottled black back. Compared to its western counterpart, Pigeon Guillemot, Black is paler in basic plumage, and has no dark bar in the white wing patch, but note range. In flight, Black Guillemots have white wing linings in all plumages, while the wing linings of Pigeon Guillemots are dark gray.

Length: 33 (cm) Wingspan: 53 (cm)

Voice:

Variety of high whistles and squeaks.

Habitat:

Open ocean, rocky coastal areas, islands, and inlets.

Behavior:

Sits on water or adjacent rocks, in pairs or small groups. Guillemots tend to remain very close to shore and, unlike most other alcids, spend some time inside bays.

Feeding:

Dives and swims to catch fish.