Pigeon Guillemot: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Seabirds · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. Its legs and feet are red, and so is the inside of its mouth, a bold contrast with its long black bill.
2. To hunt, it hangs upside down just above the seabed, poking its head around for prey while its wings and feet hold it in place.
3. It is not fussy about a home. It nests in rock holes, caves, other seabirds' old burrows and even old bomb casings.
4. Couples play "water games", chasing each other on and under the waves. This may help them stay bonded.
5. To claim its patch, it raises its tail, throws its head back and whistles, then snaps its head forward again.

The quiz

1. What colour is the inside of a pigeon guillemot's mouth?

• Black
• Yellow
• Red (correct)
• White

Its legs, feet and the inside of its mouth are all red.

2. How does it search for food on the seabed?

• It hangs upside down and probes with its head (correct)
• It digs with its feet on the beach
• It waits on a rock for fish to jump
• It drags a net of seaweed

Head down over the sea floor, it pokes about for food while wings and feet keep it steady.

3. Which unusual place has a pigeon guillemot used as a nest?

• A treetop
• A floating log
• A car tyre
• An old bomb casing (correct)

It nests in almost any cavity, even old bomb casings.

4. What are pigeon guillemot "water games"?

• Splashing to scare fish
• Chasing each other on and under the water (correct)
• Racing to the nest
• Bathing in rain puddles

Water games involve birds chasing each other on and under the sea.

5. What is the hunch-whistle display for?

• Calling chicks to eat
• Warning of a storm
• Claiming a territory (correct)
• Asking for food

The head-back whistle advertises that a territory is taken.

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