Cepphus grylle

Black guillemots feed by diving in relatively shallow water (usually less than 50 meters deep). Dives can last up to 2.5 minutes but usually are closer to 1 minute in duration, depending on water depth.
Photo Credit: Omar Runolfsson
Cepphus grylle
Common Name: black guillemot
Animal Guild: Bird
Class > Order > Family: Aves > Charadriiformes > Alcidae
What does the species look like? Breeding adults are black, with a large white patch on each wing (coverts), nearly immaculate white underwing coverts, bright red legs and feet, slender black bill, and bright red mouth lining. Adults in nonbreeding plumage have white underparts and white-fringed black feathers on the head and upperparts, so they look mottled or finely barred; birds from arctic populations are much whiter. Juveniles are similar to winter adults but have more extensive dark mottling (especially on the head and neck), and the white patch on the upper wing surface is broken by blackish feathers. Sexes are alike in all plumages. Length is around 13 inches (33 cm).
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AK, MA, MB, ME, NB, NH, NJ, NL, NS, NT, NU, NY, ON, PE, QC, RI, YT
Distribution

Breeding range extends from the eastern Canadian Arctic and western Greenland south to the Gulf of Maine, east to the northern British Isles, Scandinavia, and Baltic Sea, and east along northern Russia to the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, including Alaska. In winter, most tend to stay near breeding areas (if open water is available).

Black guillemots nest in holes under rocks (rarely in ground) on rocky islands, among boulders at base of coastal cliffs, in or under beach flotsam and other human debris (e.g., in northern Alaska), or in coastal cliff crevices. In winter, they inhabit rocky seacoasts, open sea, or margins of landfast ice, seldom far from shore.
General Phenology and Life History In North America, most go ashore to nesting sites in April-May. Nesting usually occurs in small groups or as single pairs. Eggs are laid mainly in May-June in southeastern Canada and in late June-early July in the Beaufort Sea area. Clutch size is 1-2. Incubation, by both sexes, lasts 23-39 days (average 4-4.5 weeks). Young are tended by both parents; most leave the nest area and are independent by 31-51 days. Most have departed nesting sites by the end of August.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Live individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard moving about or at rest.
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Feeding
One or more individuals are seen feeding or foraging. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field.

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Calls or song
One or more individuals are heard calling or singing.

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Territorial individuals
One or more individuals are seen or heard defending a territory. This may be indicated by calls or song used as part of a territorial proclamation, chasing of an individual of the same species from a breeding area (but do not confuse this with courtship behavior, which in some species may involve chasing), or calls or displays directed at individuals of the same or a different species to defend a feeding area.

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Reproduction Courtship
A male and female are seen near one another and are engaged in courtship behavior. Do not include male displays in the absence of a female.

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Mating
A male and female are seen coupled in a mating position, usually with the male on top of the female.

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Nest building
One or more adults are seen constructing a nest or carrying nesting material.

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Occupied nest
One or more adults are seen sitting on a nest, entering or leaving a nest site under circumstances indicating its use for nesting (including nest defense behavior), or live eggs or nestlings are seen in a nest.

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Development Downy young
One or more young are seen covered with fluffy down feathers and not yet any smooth contour feathers.

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Partially-fledged young
One or more young are seen with a mix of fluffy down and smooth contour feathers, and often have an unkempt or ragged appearance.

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Fledged young
One or more young are seen covered with smooth contour feathers and no longer any fluffy, natal down feathers. This includes young incapable of sustained flight and young which are still dependent on adults.

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Dead individuals
One or more dead individuals are seen.

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Dead nestlings or fledglings
One ore more dead nestlings or young are seen.

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Method Individuals at a feeding station
One or more individuals are seen visiting a feeder, feeding station, or food placed by a person.

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What do these phenophases look like?

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