Black-legged Kittiwake

Rissa tridactyla

The Black-legged Kittiwake is a small, graceful gull with a predominantly white plumage, gray wings, and striking black legs. These seabirds are known for their distinctive high-pitched 'kittiwake' call. They are highly adapted for life at sea, with long, narrow wings for efficient gliding and a sharp, slender bill for catching fish. Black-legged Kittiwakes breed in large colonies on coastal cliffs and rocky ledges, where they build nests out of seaweed and grass. They forage for fish and invertebrates in the open ocean, often following fishing vessels to feed on discarded scraps. These gulls are highly social and form strong pair bonds during the breeding season.

Habitat: Coastal cliffs and rocky ledges