Pigeon Guillemot

Identification

The pigeon guillemot is a medium-sized auk, measuring 30 to 37 cm in length and weighing 450 to 550 grams. In breeding plumage, adults are distinctive: dark brown with a black iridescent sheen, featuring a striking white wing patch interrupted by a brown-black wedge. During winter, they transition to mottled grey and black upperparts with white underparts. Both sexes are similar in appearance, though Californian females have larger bills than males. The species has a long black bill, red legs and feet with black claws, and a characteristic red interior to the mouth. A thin white eye-ring encircles the brown iris. Juveniles resemble winter adults but show brown-tipped underpart feathers and a smaller wing patch, with greyish-brown legs. The pigeon guillemot closely resembles the black guillemot but is distinguished by its darker wing wedge, which the black guillemot lacks.

Range & Habitat

This North Pacific seabird ranges from Siberia through Alaska to California, with five recognized subspecies distributed across this vast expanse. The pigeon guillemot breeds and sometimes roosts on rocky shores, cliffs, and islands positioned close to shallow water. During winter months, birds exhibit subtle migratory patterns: those in the northernmost part of their range move slightly south in response to advancing ice, while southern populations shift slightly north. The species generally favours more sheltered areas during the colder months.

Behaviour & Diet

Pigeon guillemots are pursuit divers, feeding on small fish and marine invertebrates caught mostly near the sea floor. They are monogamous breeders that nest in small colonies close to the shore, defending small territories around nesting cavities. Each pair typically lays one or two eggs, with both parents sharing incubation and chick-feeding duties. Once fledged, young birds become completely independent. The species undergoes substantial moulting cycles: birds moult into non-breeding plumage between August and October (becoming flightless for approximately four weeks) and into breeding plumage between January and March.

Best Time & Places to See It

Breeding season provides excellent opportunities to observe pigeon guillemots in their coastal habitats throughout the North Pacific. Rocky shores, cliffs, and islands from Siberia and Alaska southward to California offer the best viewing prospects. Winter birders should focus on sheltered coastal areas, particularly in the southern portion of the range where birds concentrate. The species' preference for shallow waters near rocky terrain makes it relatively accessible to patient observers along suitable coastlines.

Photography Tips

The pigeon guillemot's striking breeding plumage with its distinctive white wing patch and dark body provides excellent photographic subjects against rocky coastal backgrounds. The vibrant red legs, feet, and mouth interior offer colorful details worth capturing in close-ups. Photographers should note the dramatic seasonal plumage changes: the dark breeding plumage (visible January through October) contrasts sharply with the mottled winter appearance. Early morning light along rocky shores and islands will best illuminate the iridescent black sheen of breeding birds. Patience is rewarded when photographing nesting colonies, where both adults and fledglings display characteristic behaviors near their cliff and cavity nest sites.