The spectacled guillemot or sooty guillemot is a seabird in the auk family.
Region
Northwest Pacific
Typical Environment
Breeds along rocky coasts and offshore islands from the Russian Far East (Sea of Okhotsk, Kamchatka, Kuril Islands, Sakhalin) south to northern Japan and the Korean Peninsula. It favors rugged shorelines, sea cliffs, and talus slopes with abundant crevices for nesting. Outside the breeding season, it remains mostly nearshore, shifting slightly southward but staying in cold to cool temperate waters. Birds are often seen around harbors, breakwaters, and kelp-lined coves.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the sooty guillemot, it is a coastal auk of the northwest Pacific with a striking white eye-ring that looks like spectacles. It nests in rock crevices and boulder piles on sea cliffs and offshore islets. A powerful underwater hunter, it uses its wings to propel itself while diving for fish and crustaceans.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low over water
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose colonies or scattered pairs on rocky islands and coastal cliffs. Nests are placed deep in crevices or under boulders, with both parents incubating and feeding the chick. Typically lays 1–2 eggs and shows strong site fidelity across years.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Gives high, thin whistles and piping calls, especially at colonies. Soft trills and squeaky notes are used in courtship and pair contact.
