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Black-legged Kittiwake
last update: Feb 24, 2009 10:59 PM
Latin name: Rissa tridactyla
Longevity: unknown
Population: 17-18 million individuals
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: In North America, the Black-legged Kittiwake spans both coasts, as far north as the ice-free waters of Alaska in the west and the Great Banks of Newfoundland in the east. It lives as far south as Baja, California in the west and the tip of Florida in the east. Outside of America it can be found in nearly every coastal area of the world, given the proper habitat is available. This includes the coast of Norway, Britian, France, and the former Soviet Union, along with China, Japan, Korea, Central Europe, and northwest Africa.
Wingspan: 94 cm
Length: 38-40 cm
Weight: 305-525 g
Mating/Breeding: Breeds along Arctic and subarctic coasts in Alaska and Canada, southward to Alaskan panhandle and the Gaspe peninsula and across northern coasts of Eurasia. The nest is placed on ledge of steep cliff. It nests in colonies. Pairs are generally monogamous, although males attempt to mate with other partners. Black-legged Kittiwakes nest on cliffs, and the male retains the same nest site from year to year. After the nest is ready, 1 to 3 eggs are laid. The male and female incubate the eggs for about 25 days. At this time the chicks hatch. The parents seem to share the responsibilities for the chicks evenly, with both sexes feeding and brooding the young.
Eggs: Brown, blue, gray, olive or tan, with dark brown-gray speckling. 1-3 eggs per clutch
Hibernation: Winters at sea and along coasts from Labrador to Florida and southern Alaska to Baja California. Also winter along Europe to northern Africa, and southward along Pacific Coast to Japan.
Hunting Habits: Feeds in flocks at water surface, mostly in daytime; may dive (shallowly) or snatch food from surface.
Feed on: small surface fish and invertebrates. It prefers fish, and the species consumed most often are capelin, sandlance, arctic cod, pollock, saffron cod, small trout, and young salmon.
Predators/Threats: The species is threatened by the depletion of food resources (e.g. through over-fishing), marine oil spills and chronic oil pollution. It is also susceptible to avian influenza so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the virus. The species is hunted in Greenland.
Colour: The Black-legged Kittiwake is a small gull, with a pearl gray back and wings and a stark white head and underside. The tips of the tail feathers are black. The adult bill is uniformly greenish-yellow. In spite of its name, its legs can be orange or red, although they are most commonly black.
Interesting Trivia:
- The hind toe on the foot of the Black-legged Kittiwake is reduced to a tiny bump, giving the bird its scientific name tridactyla, meaning "three-toed" (instead of four on each foot).
- The Black-legged Kittiwake typically nests on cliff ledges, but will occasionally use man-made structures. It has been known to nest on buildings and shipwrecks.
