Guillemot

Uria aalge

The UK’s coasts have many stretches of sheer cliffs where seabirds breed and the guillemot is one of the most numerous birds in the great ‘seabird cities’.

It comes to land only to nest, spending the rest of its life at sea, where it is vulnerable to oil spills. Dark brown and white, not as black as the similar razorbill, it has a ‘bridled’ form with a white ring round the eye and stripe behind it.

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discover more about guillemot

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When to see

You can spot Guillemots from March through to July.

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Where to see

They nest on small cliffs on the coast in the North and East of Scotland.

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Did you know?

Their eggs are shaped like a pear with a pointy end, the theory being that it is less likely to roll off the nest when laid. 

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Related species

Puffin Razorbill

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

You can spot Guillemots from March through to July.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

They nest on small cliffs on the coast in the North and East of Scotland.

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

Their eggs are shaped like a pear with a pointy end, the theory being that it is less likely to roll off the nest when laid. 

Dolphin Icon Blue
Related species

Puffin Razorbill

Binoculars Icon Blue
When to see

You can spot Guillemots from March through to July.

Map Icon Blue
Where to see

They nest on small cliffs on the coast in the North and East of Scotland.

Book Icon Blue
Did you know?

Their eggs are shaped like a pear with a pointy end, the theory being that it is less likely to roll off the nest when laid. 

Dolphin Icon Blue
Related species

Puffin Razorbill