Black-legged kittiwake

The black-legged kittiwake is a seabird species in the gull family Laridae. This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his landmark 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae as Larus tridactylus. The English name is derived from its call, a shrill 'kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake'. In North America, this species is known as the black-legged kittiwake to differentiate it from the red-legged kittiwake, but in Europe, where it is the only member of the genus, it is often known just as kittiwake.

Distribution

Region

North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans

Typical Environment

Breeds on steep sea cliffs around subarctic and temperate coasts of the North Atlantic and parts of the North Pacific. Outside the breeding season it ranges widely over the open ocean, often far from land. Prefers productive shelf edges, upwelling zones, and frontal systems where small schooling fish and plankton concentrate. Colonies are typically on narrow cliff ledges with exposure to prevailing winds and nearby feeding areas.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 500 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Characteristics

Size37–41 cm

Wing Span91–105 cm

Male Weight0.4 kg

Female Weight0.38 kg

Life Expectancy20 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A cliff-nesting gull of northern oceans, the black-legged kittiwake spends most of its life far offshore and comes to land mainly to breed. Its name mimics its ringing call, often heard at bustling breeding colonies. Unlike many gulls, it feeds chiefly by surface-dipping for small fish and zooplankton rather than scavenging.

Gallery

A vagrant kittiwake at Borith Lake, high in the Karakoram mountains of northern Pakistan, over 1,400 km from the Indian Ocean and over 5,000 km overland from the nearest breeding colonies

Eggs, Collection Museum Wiesbaden

Behaviour

Temperament

social and colonial

Flight Pattern

buoyant flier with shallow wingbeats and gliding over waves

Social Behavior

Nests in dense colonies on sheer sea cliffs, often with thousands of pairs. Builds cup-shaped nests of mud, grass, and seaweed on narrow ledges. Typically monogamous, laying 1–2 eggs; both adults incubate and feed chicks by regurgitation.

Migratory Pattern

Seasonal migrant

Song Description

In colonies it gives a sharp, ringing 'kitt-ee-waake' that carries over surf and wind. Also uses harsh chatter and contact calls between mates and neighbors.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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