Black-legged Kittiwake

Scientific Name: Rissa tridactyla

Population Estimate: 17M, Least Concern status

Range / Habitat: Marine bird, breeding on cliff ledges in the subarctic worldwide. Largely pelagic during winter, finding temperate waters in the northern hemisphere. 

Field Notes: Small white gull with light grey mantle and black wingtips without any white. Bill a delicate, unmarked yellow. Legs black. In winter, this species acquires a dark grey smudge behind the eye and a grey hind-neck collar.

Personal Notes: One of the many nesting species seen on the Latrabjarg cliffs in western Iceland.