Pigeon Guillemot - BirdForum Opus

Cepphus columba

Photo © by bobsofpa
Montana de Oro State Park, California, USA, June 2007

Identification

Length 33-35cm (13-14in). A mostly black bird with a prominent white wing patch bisected by a black bar or wedge. The webbed feet and legs are bright reddish-orange. The body is tapered for underwater swimming prowness, and terminates in a long, thin, black bill. In flight, the wings and axillars can be seen to be dusky gray.
Winter birds are white underneath and mottled gray above.

Winter Plumage
Photo © by jvhigbee
Tacoma, Washington, USA.

Distribution

Pacific coast of North America from Alaska to California. (see Taxonomy section)

Taxonomy

Subspecies^[1]

Five subspecies are recognized:

• C. c. columba:

• North-eastern Siberia to Bering Sea and western Alaska

• C. c. snowi:

• Kuril Island

• C. c. kairuka:

• Komandorskiye Island to west-central Aleutians

• C. c adiantus:

• Central Aleutians to Washington

• C. c. eureka:

• Oregon, California

Non-breeding
Photo © by Glen Tepke
Monterey Bay, Monterey County, California, USA, December 2004

Habitat

Rocky shores, cliffs and islands.

Behaviour

Swims underwater in pursuit of food using its wings. Gathers small fish near the ocean bottom.

Breeding

Nests are made in rocky cavities. The clutch consists of 2 eggs.

Diet

Includes fish and other aquatic animals.

References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
2. Wikipedia

• List of references

Recommended Citation

• BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Pigeon Guillemot. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 10 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Pigeon_Guillemot

External Links

Search for photos of Pigeon Guillemot in the gallery

• View more images of this species on Orientalbirdimages