Birds of St Paul: Kittiwakes

St Paul is home to both species of Kittiwake (a medium sized white gull with pale grey back and wings); Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) and the Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris).

Kittiwake Stats (Whatbird and Cornell Bird Lab):

• Length Range: 41-43 cm (16-17 in)
• Weight: 422 g (14.9 oz)
• Wingspan: 94 cm (37 in)
  
• Size: Large (16 - 32 in)
• Color Primary: White, Gray
• Underparts: White
• Upperparts: Pale Gray
• Back Pattern: Solid
• Belly Pattern: Solid
• Breast Pattern: Solid

The Black-legged kittiwake is the only gull that will actually dive and swim underwater to capture prey though mostly I saw them dive bombing puffin and murre in an attempt to relieve them of their fish.

Their name is derived from their call, a shrill 'kittee-wa-aaake, kitte-wa-aaake' though my friend Kathy and I agree it sounds more like a plea not to be eaten: "Kitty Wait"!!